A man and a woman, both self-confessed drug addicts, were arraigned as perpetrator and accomplice respectively of a series of gas cylinder thefts from various localities around Malta over a span of three months.

Roderick Zahra, 33, and Ruth Spiteri, 38, from Għaxaq and Santa Luċija respectively, both unemployed, admitted in court today to having stolen 46 gas cylinders from the doorsteps of private residences, the last theft taking place last Tuesday.

The man alone admitted to the theft of 22 cylinders from Naxxar, Swieqi, Marsascala and Żebbuġ.

These thefts took place between August 20 and last Tuesday, the court was told. Another charge concerned the theft of tools from a construction site in Swieqi.

The man, together with his accomplice, was additionally charged with a further spate of 24 thefts. The localities targeted in this case were Mosta, Marsasxlokk, San Ġwann, St Julians and Pembroke.

The two also admitted to a second case of theft of tools from another construction site at Swieqi.

Upon hearing the two plead guilty to all the charges, duty Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo warned them that their conviction possibly carried with it a prison sentence and informed them of their right, at that stage of the proceedings, to withdraw their plea.

Yet, following consultation with their defence counsel, both man and woman confirmed their admission.

The man was sentenced to a jail term of three years, while his accomplice was sentenced to a jail term of 18 months suspended for two years. The woman was further placed under a two-year treatment order for her drug addiction. The court recommended that Mr Zahra was to receive treatment for his addiction too.

At the end of the sitting, the man’s lawyer gave notice of appeal.

Lawyer Charmaine Cherrett was defence counsel.