A 33-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record has been jailed for two years after pleading guilty to stealing two laptops and a woman's handbag.

The man, who told the court he was homeless and unemployed, was charged with having, on 27 July, stolen a laptop from the Iniala 5 Gallery in Valletta, and of having stolen another laptop on 10 August from Dhalia Properties in Fgura.

He was also charged with stealing a woman's handbag from the Bortex shop in Valletta, on 25 August.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.

The court, presided by Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, taking into consideration the charges and the accused's cooperation with the police, sentenced the man to two years in prison.

It also warned him that should be keep breaking the law, nothing good would come of it.

"Your conviction sheet is as thick as a bible," the court said, "You will either get on the right path, or else you'll end up ruining your life."

The court requested the director of prisons to enrol the accused in a drug rehabilitation programme, and for him to be given every opportunity to undertake productive work within the prison facility.

Lawyer Victor Bugeja was legal aid for the accused.

Inspector Daryl Borg prosecuted.