An 18-year-old was jailed and another was placed under probation on Wednesday after they pleaded guilty to theft.

The police tracked down Nikolai Abela, from Birkirkara, and Anthony Joseph Xuereb, from Tarxien, both unemployed, after numerous theft reports targeting various establishments were lodged at the Valletta station.

The thieving duo were taken to court where they both admitted to the charges, their legal aid counsel Graziella Tanti explaining that the teenagers both needed help, having done what they did “because they were hungry”.

Both admitted stealing food and beverages from a snack bar in Marsamxett Road, Valletta, on Saturday night.

Mr Xuereb alone admitted to the aggravated theft of cash, a laptop and other items from a pub in Triq il-Lanca, targeted twice within the space of a week. He also pleaded guilty to an attempted theft from a restaurant in Marsamxett Road, voluntary damage to the door of another Valletta establishment as well as the theft of food and beverages from the San Ġorġ Preca Chapel in Ħamrun.

Prosecuting Inspectors Jeffrey Scicluna and Daryl Borg informed the court that although the laptop had been returned to its owner, the stolen cash had not been recovered since neither of the young men were in a position to refund the money.

“It needs to be understood that within society there are not only rights but also duties,” duty magistrate Francesco Depasquale remarked in reply to a request for a ban on the publication of the accused’s names, adding that both were adults and that there was no valid reason to order the ban.

When making submissions on punishment, Dr Tanti pointed out that both accused had filed an early guilty plea, cooperated fully with the police and returned whatever could be returned.

Upon being informed by the prosecution that both youngsters abused of a number of substances, the court commented that it was truly worrying that the accused had committed such crimes at their tender age and had serious drug dependency problems. They clearly needed help to overcome their addiction.

Addressing Mr Abela, the magistrate said: “This is your first brush with the law. Therefore, I am giving you a chance. Don’t waste it.” He placed the accused under a two-year probation and treatment order.

As for the co-accused, the magistrate noted that the courts had already given him a chance “but you’ve ignored it”.

For this reason, the court condemned him to an 18-month jail term. It urged the relevant authorities to remand him to the Young Offenders’ Unit where he might receive all necessary treatment to fight his addiction.

“You must now help yourself. Unless you also do your part, all help will be futile,” warned the magistrate.

Upon being informed by the prosecution that Mr Abela had vouched to commit another offence so as to join his friend in custody, the magistrate turned towards the young man warning him that it would certainly not benefit him to do so.