A 32-year-old man today was placed under a three-year probation and ordered to complete his drug rehabilitation programme after he pleaded guilty to theft and breaking and entering.

Claudio Mallia pleaded guilty to attempting to steal from a parked vehicle after he escaped police's custody, and to breaking into and stealing cash from a restaurant in Pieta.

In court, the police explained that following a report of the break-in at la Vela restaurant in Pieta on Monday, Mr Mallia was arrested. But he managed to escape custody, only to be caught trying to steal tools from a vehicle parked in Gzira 15 minutes later.

Magistrate Micallef Trigona ruled that the accused is to be placed under a probation order for three years and ordered that Mallia successfully complete a residential drug rehabilitation programme. He warned that if caught again, Mallia would immediately be sent to prison – most likely for a long time.

Joseph Ellis acted as legal aid.