A shop thief who was held by people in the street until the police arrived on Sunday has been jailed for two years.

The man committed robberies from two shops in as many days before being apprehended by residents and handed over to the police on Sunday.

Alexander Scicluna, a 52-year old unemployed Rabat resident, pleaded guilty when he was taken to court on Monday. 

Wearing a greyish-brown leather jacket and a black helmet, the man stole €1,000 from a shop's cash register in Zebbuġ before being fleeing on Sunday. Some people gave chase and held him until the police were called.

Investigators linked the theft to a similar robbery from another Rabat store the day before, when he stole €50.

The €1,000 taken in the second robbery has been returned to the store owner, the court was told.

The soft-spoken man calmly confirmed his plea and was sentenced to a two-year effective jail term. The court recommended that he be given all necessary help to undergo rehabilitation for a drug addiction.

Inspectors Kylie Borg and Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted.

Lawyer Christopher Chircop was legal aid counsel.

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