A burglar removed banisters from a staircase to be able to haul furniture out to a van in one of four thefts he admitted to have committed when questioned by the police.

Paul Spagnol, 43, of San Ġwann was yesterday jailed for five years for the crimes.

Under questioning over one of the burglaries, he admitted to committing four over a span of several months, Police Inspector Michael Mallia testified.

Mr Spagnol told the inspector he had gained access to a house in St Paul’s Bay by forcing open the front door. He then opened the garage adjoining the house and drove his van inside.

He carried furniture and computer equipment into the van and in the process removed some banisters on the staircase to make way for larger pieces of furniture. After admitting to this theft he also told the police of three others, the officer said. They took place over a span of several months in 2005 and 2006 in St Paul’s Bay, Sliema, Gżira and Għaxaq.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti jailed Mr Spagnol for five years after taking into consideration the seriousness of the charges and the fact that he had relapsed.