A man was yesterday jailed for a year after pleading guilty to the theft of a car stereo in Hamrun on 31 May 2006.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera jailed Jesmond Portelli, 36, from Zejtun, for a year after hearing him plead guilty to stealing the stereo from a Toyota Starlet to the detriment of Samuel Dalli from Zabbar.

He also pleaded guilty to damaging the car, receiving stolen goods and relapsing.

During yesterday's sitting, magistrate Scerri Herrera also heard Joseph Scerri, 38, from Hamrun, pleading not guilty to the same charges which were brought against him.

Police inspector Carmelo Magri prosecuted. Dr Edward Zammit Lewis appeared for Mr Scerri while Dr Richard Sladden appeared for Portelli.