A 29-year-old man who has a drug problem was this morning jailed for three years after admitting to stealing a number of objects from a Paola house earlier this month.

Christian Bonello, who is also from Paola, was charged with stealing paintings, crystal chandeliers, tools, bathroom mixers and electrical fittings worth more than €2,300 in total. He was also charged with possessing stolen items, relapsing and breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale expressed his disappointment at the fact that the accused had kept up a life of crime. He said he had no option but to hand down a jail sentence. The accused was jailed for three years.

The Magistrate also noted that the accused has a drug problem and "invited" the authorities to to their utmost to get the accused into a drug rehabilitation programme.

Lawyer Duncan Borg Myatt appeared for the accused. Inspectors Spiridione Zammit and Hubert Cini prosecuted.