A 29-year-old man who went on a joy-ride on a stolen rented car after a heavy drinking session was yesterday jailed for one month.

Seeing a rented Chevrolet Kalos waiting to be garaged at the Avis car hire company in Msida, with the keys still in the ignition, Kevin Camilleri decided to take it for a joy-ride. He was later spotted in Mosta heading towards Ta' Qali.

Mr Camilleri told the court he has a drinking problem and was taking medication to help him kick the habit. As there were no vacancies he was unable to follow the Sedqa rehabilitation programme.

Defence lawyer Martin Fenech told the court that this was not a case of somebody wanting to steal a car but, rather, of a person being in a drunken state.

Magistrate Michael Mallia said his hands were tied when it came to punishment because Mr Camilleri had already been given a suspended jail term and breached bail conditions.

The court said that it felt a period of incarceration was suitable and so jailed him for one month.

Police Inspector Jesmond Micallef prosecuted.

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