A 24-year-old Libyan man named Hashim El Amir has been imprisoned for 13 months after he turned himself in for the theft of one television and attempted theft of another one from a hotel in Paceville.

Last Saturday, the hotel in question issued a report about the stolen TVs, following which Mr El Hashim turned himself in. The police also said that he has cooperated in full throughout. The accused therefore pleaded guilty in court.

Legal aid Noel Bartolo requested that the courts deliver a sentence close to the minimum penalty in view of the accused cooperating and turning himself in.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, presiding over the case, took into consideration the accused's previous conviction where he had been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment over trafficking cocaine and ecstasy.

Mr El Ashim came to Malta from Libya and holds a refugee status. He is a resident of St Julian's and is a casual worker.

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.