A man was jailed for two years and another was given a three-year supervision order after they admitted participating in a theft from a Naxxar residence last Sunday afternoon,that was foiled by the police.

Jesmond Cassar, 32, from Cospicua, and 20-year-old Tyrone Craig Dark from Senglea, pleaded guilty to trying to steal from a private residence in Naxxar at 3pm on Sunday. They also pleaded guilty to damaging the front door of the house and relapsing.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera noted that Cassar had a record of several convictions, in 1995, 1997, 1998, two in 2001 and another one in 2005, when he faced a trial by jury. She told Cassar that he had not learnt from his mistakes in the past and was persisting with his criminal life.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera was informed that Cassar had an alcohol and drug problem, but she commented that he has to help himself in order to be helped. She jailed him for two years.

Turning to the other accused, the magistrate said that it was the fourth time he was appearing in court.

On 9 October, Dark appeared in court for breaching his bail conditions on another case. He was jailed for one month.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera explained that this was the last time the court was giving him a chance to get his life back on track. She said that she was putting him on a three-year supervision order – which is the maximum time permitted by law – and she also ordered him to start and successfully complete a drug rehabilitation programme. Otherwise, she warned him, he will end up in jail.

Police Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi prosecuted. Dr Noel Camilleri appeared for Dark and Dr Renzo Porsella Flores appeared for Cassar.