A man with an acute drug problem who was deemed too weak to face prosecution back in April has ended up in jail after being caught with drugs again two days ago.

Jason Zammit, 43-year old from Gżira, was arrested and marched to court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to the aggravated possession and trafficking of cocaine and heroin on two separate occasions.

He was further charged over another episode dating back to July 2017 when he had recklessly driven his Piaggio vehicle, damaging a third party vehicle. The man was also charged with being a recidivist.

Mr Zammit had been found at a Gżira hotel with 36 grams of heroin, 20 grams of cocaine, €4,000 cash and other drug paraphenalia back in April, prosecuting inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca told the court.

However, he had been in such a bad state that he was admitted to rehab to deal with his drug addiction.

Two days ago, he again caught police attention and was found in possession of 30 grams of heroin, 15 grams of cocaine and some €1,500 in cash.

When making submissions on punishment, inspector Mercieca pointed out that the accused had an acute drug problem and had fully cooperated in investigations.

Legal aid lawyer Dunstan Camilleri added that his client had pleaded guilty because he needed help to kick his addiction once and for all and thus “bring to an end this chapter in his life.”

In the light of such submissions, the court, presided over by magistrate Francesco Depasquale, declared the accused guilty upon his own admission and handed down a 4-year effective jail term and a €1,000 fine.

The court further ordered him to bear all court expert expenses. All money was to be confiscated and the drugs involved were to be destroyed.

“You are 43 years old and it cannot be that you’re still in such a state. Make use of your time in jail well,” was the magistrate’s final word of advice.