A 23-year-old man was jailed for two years after he admitted to stealing €650 in cash from a bar in Marsa earlier this month.

Kersten Catania, who had named a Marsa stable as his place of residence on his arraignment, was accused of stealing the money from McKay Bar on the morning of 11 January, as well as to breaching the conditions of a previous release: he had been placed on probation for three years in January 2014 when he admitted to stealing cash from the Qormi FC nursery in 2009.

Mr Catania had originally pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on the day after the theft took place, but subsequently decided to change his plea.

In light of the circumstances, Magistrate Anthony Vella decided that an effective jail term was appropriate, and sentenced him to two years' imprisonment.

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted.