A homeless man with an acute drug addiction problem was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to stealing three song birds known as Taz-Zebbug (Hawfinch) worth €700 from Cospicua.

Dominic Cuschieri, 48, who told the court he did not need legal assistance, also pleaded guilty to receiving stolen objects. He had run away from police custody before being taken to the lock up but returned to the police after some time telling them he was sick and needed his dose of drugs. He therefore disobeyed police orders and relapsed on previous court sentences.

Police Inspector Jesmond Borg, who prosecuted, said the man had been in and out of jail in the past and although he seemed better for a while, he always fell into his old habit.

“I fear I will find him dead one day,” the inspector told the court, presided by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti.

In sentencing Cuschieri, the court ordered the prison director to give him all possible assistance.