A drug addict who started several rehabilitation programmes but never completed them was yesterday jailed for 16 months, with the magistrate hoping it might be the best way to help him kick the habit.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke sentenced Roderick Tabone, a 27-year-old Freeport employee, to prison after noting that he had been given various opportunities to address his drug addiction problem but never took advantage of the chances.

She said that it was only through an effective prison term that he could seriously address his problem.

He had started rehabilitation programmes

He had previously been conditionally discharged and also given probation orders to have someone guide and help him.

He had started a drug rehabilitation programme several times but never completed any of them. Mr Tabone pleaded guilty to stealing a pouch with a cheque book and a multi-tool from a car parked in Siġġiewi on May 22. He also admitted to damaging the car and to committing a crime while on probation.

The magistrate noted that Mr Tabone continued to abuse of drugs, even while his probation officer was compiling a pre-sentencing report containing recommendations on punishment.

This, she said, gave the court no option but to impose a 16-month effective jail term with a recommendation to the prison authorities to help the man address his addiction.

Mr Tabone was last week placed on probation for three years after admitting to having helped himself to items belonging to swimmers at Golden Bay.