A young man was handed a suspended jail sentence today after admitting his involvement in a burglary from an electronics store in Paola.

The burglary took place in November and Christopher Briffa, 26 of Tarxien, was arrested on Monday on the strength of forensic evidence which included  fingerprints lifted from the crime scene.

The man had had other past brushes with the law.

Mr Briffa pleaded guilty to having been an accomplice in the theft where four stereos were stolen. He also admitted having caused wilful damage to third party property as well as to having received stolen goods.

Upon the accused’s own admission and in view of the nature of the offences, his early guilty plea and his need for help to undergo rehabilitation, duty Magistrate Gabriella Vella declared the man guilty and condemned him to a jail term of one year suspended for four years.

The court further placed the accused under the supervision of a Probation Officer for four years, warning him to keep regular appointments or to follow the instructions of his supervisor.

“If during these four years you should commit another offence, I shall be informed” warned the Magistrate, urging the man to put his life back on the right track.

Inspector Spiridione Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyer Benjamin Valenzia was legal aid counsel.