Joseph Christie stole items from premises in Zebbug, St Venera, Attard, Naxxar, Pietà and Qormi. He even stole gold items from Santa Maria church in Ghaxaq. In five of the thefts, Christie stole more than Lm1,000 worth of items.

The man admitted the thefts and damaging property, receiving stolen goods, complicity in a crime and breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence. Two other men had been charged with the thefts together with Christie.

The accused pleaded guilty to all the charges made against him. The Substance Abuse Therapeutic Unit (SATU) clinical psychologist Joan Camilleri said she found Christie to be paranoid and obsessive. She said he could not cope with integrating into society.

Although he had attended several rehabilitation programmes, the accused was never given any psychiatric help and therefore fell into the drug habit once again, said Ms Camilleri

SATU coordinator John Zammit Montebello explained that Christie had been institutionalised for a long time and therefore finds it difficult to cope when left on his own.

After an examination of the man’s criminal record, the court ruled that he could not be given a suspended sentence but recognised that he is making an effort to reform.

The court strongly suggested that during his nine month prison term, Christie attend SATU voluntarily for the good of both himself and society.

The court was presided over by magistrate Abigail Lofaro and Superintendent Pierre Calleja and inspector Joseph Valletta prosecuted.