A man was yesterday jailed for a total of four years after the two years suspended sentence handed down in 2004 came into effect for committing another crime within the operative period of the suspended jail term.

John Bugeja, 37, from Paola, pleaded guilty to stealing a Kenwood stereo from a van, damaging the van and relapsing. The court, presided over by magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard that Bugeja is a chronic relapser and had several social problems.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera said the court has given the defendant many chances to get his life back on track and jailed him for two years. She also ordered that the two years suspended jail term come into effect since Bugeja committed another crime during this period. In total, Bugeja was jailed for four years.

Police inspector Mario Bonello prosecuted.