Ludwig Bugeja, 37, of Cospicua and Anthony Spiteri, 36, of Marsascala, were found guilty of stealing from a shop in Mellieha in 2002. Bugeja was sent down for a year and 10 months after he was also found guilty of relapsing and Spiteri was given a one-year jail term.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman ruled that the two accused had already brusged with the law before the 2002 crime.

The theft had been committed from the Mithna Bar and Restaurant in Main Street. They had stolen cash and items belonging to Alexander Vella.