Lee, 30 from St Venera, who has been known to make a mockery of the court on various occasions, listened to his judgement quietly and was even heard apologising to prosecuting inspector Mario Tonna for any trouble he had caused.

The brothers admitted thefts from Phoneworld on 25 November 2003, from Phone Connections on 20 January and again from Phoneworld on 18 March this year.

Altogether they stole around Lm18,000 worth of electronic equipment. Lee also pleaded guilty to possessing heroin in circumstances suggesting the drugs were not for his personal use.

Presiding magistrate Anthony Vella sentenced him to a year in prison and strongly suggested he follow a rehabilitation programme over the course of the year.

Sonny was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for four years for the crimes he admitted and was also ordered to pay a Lm500 fine. Magistrate Vella agreed that he could pay the fine in monthly instalments over two years, after considering that he is unemployed and simply gets by on welfare.