The magistrates’ court yesterday jailed an Italian man for a total of eight years after he pleaded guilty to burgling eight houses during the operative time of a suspended jail term.

Carmelo Innorcia, 34, pleaded guilty, before presiding magistrate Anthony Vella, to stealing money, jewellery and other items from 11 houses during the past month.

He also pleaded guilty to relapsing and committing the crimes during the operative time of a two-year suspended jail term.

In handing down his judgement, magistrate Vella noted Innorcia’s guilty plea and that he cooperated with the police.

As a result, the court jailed Innorcia for six years and ordered that the suspended jail term be put into effect bringing the total jail term to eight years.

Police Inspector Jeffrey Cilia prosecuted while Dr Richard Sladden appeared for Innorcia