A man with a criminal record that "looks like a book" this afternoon said he was addicted to heroin, but only every Friday when he received his social benefits.

Charles Spiteri, 51, from Cospicua, pleaded guilty to attempting to steal from a garage in Ta Xbiex on Friday night.

The court heard how the police received an anonymous call about a suspicious looking man. When they arrived, he threw gloves, a balaclava and a torch on the ground and was arrested. He was also found on possession of bump keys.
Before Magistrate Carol Peralta, he pleaded guilty and admitted to being a heroin addict.

The magistrate warned him that he was giving him the very last chance.

He conditionally discharged him for three years and condemned him to 200 hours of community work with a probation officer reporting on his improvement at intervals.

"This is a test for you. You're still doing silly things at your age. I expect more responsibility from you because you know the difference between right and wrong," the magistrate told him.

Police Inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted while lawyer Joseph Ellis appeared for the man.