A homeless man was jailed for 14 months yesterday after he pleaded guilty to trying to steal items from a car and to stealing a Pioneer car stereo. He also pleaded guilty to relapsing.

Domenic Fava, 35, who the prosecution said was homeless but who said he lived in Cospicua, pleaded guilty to attempting to steal items from a car parked in Santa Venera and to damaging the car. He also pleaded guilty to stealing a car stereo on Wednesday or the preceding days and to the possession of stolen goods.

Since he is a relapser, magistrate Jacqueline Padovani jailed Fava for 14 months and recommended that the Corradino Correctional Facility authorities help him start, and successfully complete, a drug rehabilitation programme after the prosecution informed the court that he was a heroin addict. The prosecution also said that it is expected that Fava will be charged in court with drug-related charges.

Police Inspector Mario Tonna prosecuted while Dr Martin Fenech appeared for the accused.