A man was jailed for four years yesterday after admitting to holding a couple against their will and stealing from their neighbour’s house, while his alleged partner in crime denied the charges and was remanded in custody.

Patrick Mangion, 33, of Qormi, admitted to stealing gold items from a house in Balzan and then holding an elderly couple against their will after he escaped from the first property on Saturday.

He stole more than €2,300 worth of gold from one residence and around €600 in cash before jumping onto the roof of the adjoining property and holding the elderly couple. The police then arrived and arrested him.

Mr Mangion, who also pleaded guilty to relapsing, has a drug problem. Magistrate Edwina Grima sent the director of prisons a recommendation that he receive the proper treatment.

His alleged partner in crime, Carmelo Borg, 58, also of Qormi and who lives in the same block of flats as Mr Mangion, denied the charges and was remanded in custody.

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