Two car thieves were warned yesterday they were “guaranteed” a long jail term if they continued committing crimes.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja told them that he was giving them a chance to get their lives back on track, away from cliques and crime.

“If you continue committing crimes, no one will spare you a guaranteed long jail term. The courts have given you various chances, but now it is up to you to grow up and start acting like civilised people. As you surely would not like it if anyone were to steal your property, you must respect others and let them enjoy their belongings,” the magistrate told them.

He was ruling in a case against James Azzopardi, 25, from Qormi and Jurgen Gatt, 22, from Żebbuġ, who pleaded guilty to the theft of a car early on April 23 of last year.

He placed them on probation for three years and ordered them to carry out 100 hours of community work.

As he fined Mr Azzopardi €2,400 for driving the stolen vehicle without insurance cover, the magistrate ordered both of them to pay the theft victim €2,600 and nearly €2,000 in court expenses.

Police Inspectors Spiridione Zammit and Robert Vella prosecuted, while lawyer Mark Busuttil was defence counsel.