A man who had been jailed for stabbing two men was today given another 18-month prison term for trying to break into a shop.

Spiridione Costa, 51, of Paola had been jailed for three years in January for stabbing and grievously injuring a man and slightly injuring another in a Paceville bar fight over a lighter. He appealed the sentence and was out on bail.

Appearing before Magistrate Doreen Clarke this morning, the accused was charged with attempting to break into Angler Centre, a fishing shop in Pieta, on June 12 at 2am. He was also charged with damaging third party property, disobeying police orders, breaching bail conditions and relapsing.

Sources said that by the time the police arrived to investigate reports of strange noises in the area, the accused had already managed to remove two limestone blocks in an effort to breach the shop's wall.

He told the court that his previous case would have been decided on Monday.

Legal aid lawyer Noel Cutajar entered a guilty plea to the attempted theft charges.

The court sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment and ordered that his €8,000 bail bond be confiscated.

Police inspector Robert Said Sarreo prosecuted.