A Libyan man has been sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to theft from his former residence in Swieqi and the theft of several items from two cars. 

Ans Abdulla Algheziwi, 28, from Birzebbuga, admitted to the theft of a laptop from the Swieqi guesthouse where he lived prior to moving to Birzebbuga. He also admitted to theft from two cars, a Citroen and a BMW, parked in the same street. 

Police Inspector Elton Taliana said one of the guest house residents recognised the accused and informed the police. Subsequently, a magisterial inquiry was opened into the theft. As part of the investigations, samples of blood splatter found on one of the cars were taken and these matched the man's DNA.

He is understood to have cut his finger as he smashed the window of one of the cars. 

In court, his legal aid lawyer, Victor Bugeja, said his client remembered almost nothing about that night. He said that although this was not an excuse, he had binged on alcohol that evening after having been informed that the Libyan militia had murdered his brother. 

But Inspector Taliana fired back, saying that although there is an allegation that he was drunk, he evidently knew what he was doing because he returned to the guesthouse where he lived. 

Moreover, he insisted that a strong message was needed as a deterrent in view of the hardships Swieqi residents were facing on a daily basis.

To this, Magistrate Ian Farrugia remarked: "If you need more resources tell the Police Commissioner and you'll have more people to work."

The inspector replied that he had already made that request and it was hand. 

Mr Algheziwi also pleaded guilty to breaching the bail conditions over a pending court case in which he stands accused with raping a woman in June last year.