An 20-year-old was yesterday given a two-year jail term after having pleaded guilty to stealing a car with which he rammed into two showrooms to steal yet more vehicles.

Daniel Lanzon from Cospicua, pleaded guilty to stealing a Mercedes Benz sometime between 27 February and 18 April 2004 from the Raymond Autodealer premises which was worth more than Lm1,000.

He was also charged with causing between Lm100 and Lm500 in damage to the vehicle when he used it to smash into another showroom where he damaged a Volkswagen Polo.

He was also accused of stealing a Skoda Felicia from inside the Gojal Enterprises showroom in Mosta which was worth over Lm1,000, as well as causing up to Lm100 in damage to the showroom.

Lanzon also pleaded guilty to stealing various tools worth Lm100 from inside a vehicle in Mriehel on 18 March and damaging the car in the process.

He also pleaded guilty to attempting to break in the Waldorf garage in Zebbug, J&M showroom, also in Zebbug, causing Lm500 in damage in the process. He also admitted using false number plates and identification as well as handling stolen property and breaching a three-year conditional discharge term.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, noted that the accused pleaded guilty even in the face of an impending prison sentence as he wanted to take his punishment on the chin and turn over a new leaf. Magistrate Grixti said he hoped this was indeed the case and sentenced the accused to two years’ imprisonment.