An Italian man who late last night made off with cash and cheques from a Valletta greengrocer has been jailed 27 months.

Antonio Andolfo, 48, born in Catania and residing in Marsa, was charged with aggravated theft from a fruit and vegetable store in Old Bakery Street, where he was employed.

He was also charged with failing to obey police orders and being a relapser. He was also charged with committing the offences during the operative period of a suspended sentence delivered last September.

The court, presided by magistrate Josette Demicoli, heard how a police officer on the beat in the streets of the capital noticed a man acting suspiciously.

The suspect took to his heels as soon as the police called out to him but he was shortly arrested, the court was told. The man was wearing a balaclava and carrying a plastic bag. The episode was also captured on CCTV, the prosecution explained.

On the day of the incident before leaving his workplace, the accused had purposely left a window ajar intending to return to the shop later that night.

Carrying out his plan, the accused made off with documents, cash and cheques before he was caught and brought to justice 

The court declared the man guilty and condemned him to a jail term of 21 months together with an additional six months bringing his earlier suspended sentence into effect.

Inspector Daryl Borg prosecuted. Lawyer Mark Mifsud Cutajar was legal aid.