A drug addict who lives on his own in a room in a field was today handed a suspended sentence after he admitted stealing a car and smashing it into the back of a lorry.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius told the court that he was surprised that the accused, Gary Manwel Camilleri, 40 of Safi, was still alive, given the damage caused to the stolen vehicle.

Mr Camilleri admitted to having stolen the Peugeot 307 yesterday morning from Pieta'. He drove it while under the influence of drugs and crashed violently into the back of a lorry in Zurrieq.

Inspector Agius said the accused had been recorded on CCTV stealing the car. He said the damage to the car was of over €2,300. The car had crashed into a truck carrying building material, and such was the impact that the car was thrown some 200 metres and one of the wheels came off.

Mr Camilleri told the court that when he was 22 he moved to England but returned three years ago. He had worked as a warden, but after his father died he 'seemed to lose control' and left the job.

The court noted that the accused had cooperated with the police and his police record was otherwise clear.

Mr Camilleri was condemned to a two-year jail term suspended for four years and placed under probation for three years. He was also ordered, on his own request, to attend a residential drug rehabilitation programme.

Mr Camilleri said he wanted to change his ways and return to the way he was before starting to take drugs.

The court warned him that should be violate any of the conditions, he would be jailed immediately.