Two men caught trying to steal an American classic car were this morning given a suspended jail term.

After breaking into the garage in Fgura on November 16, 2006, the two men - Jesmond Portelli and Michael Micallef made enough noise to raise the owner’s suspicion.

In his garage, which is connected to his residence, owner Terence Delia found Mr Micallef sitting in the €35,000 classic car and Mr Portelli outside in a getaway car.

When the thieves realised they were caught they fled the scene only to be shortly afterwards.

The court ruled that because of their clean police records, their punishment should serve as a lesson and a deterrent. They were jailed for one year suspended to three.

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