A man was jailed and another two were given suspended sentences for a series of thefts they committed in February and March 2006.

Richard Edwards, 29, Matthew Catania, 26, and Christopher Pace, 25 admitted to a series of thefts from petrol stations in several areas of Malta.

Mr Pace was jailed for 18 months suspended for three years, Mr Catania was jailed for two years suspended for three and Mr Edwards, who in a previous court case had been given a two-year jail term suspended for four years, was this morning given a three year jail term so he will have to spend five years in prison.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani said the court took into consideration the difference in the criminal records of the accused, the fact that the three had returned all they had stolen, that they had compensated for the damage they committed and the fact that Mr Edwards was the mind behind the theft.

This, she said, was only admitted after he was intensively interrogated on the evidence given by witness.