Two men pleaded guilty to attempting a break-in on a house in Santa Venera last Saturday.

Raymond Spiteri, 57 from Marsa, registered an early guilty plea and was sentenced to one year imprisonment suspended for four, in view of his clean criminal conduct.

The second, Constantino Gouder, 36 from Valletta, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment in view of his chequered criminal record and previous conviction in December 2016. He had been handed an 18 month suspended sentenced, which became active when found guilty of this crime. The court had also ordered the prison to do anything in its power to assist the man with overcoming his drug dependency.

Prosecuting inspector Saviour Baldacchino charged Mr Spiteri and Mr Gouder with attempted theft and voluntarily damaging the front door of the house (third party property). Mr Gouder was also charged with being in possession of tools with the intent to commit a crime, in this case forced entry of the house, and committing a crime will serving a suspended sentence.

The court heard how Mr Gouder works as a fisherman as well as a cleaner, while Mr Spiteri is employed as a delivery man.

Dr Josette Sultana was legal aid for Mr Gouder while Dr Gianluca Cappitta was legal aid for Mr Spiteri.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale presided over the case.