A man was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday after he pleaded guilty to stealing a car stereo worth more than €232.49 (Lm100) in Zabbar on Friday evening.

Before Magistrate Silvio Meli, Jesmond Portelli, 37, was also charged with dealing in stolen goods, damaging the car from which he stole the stereo, carrying a sharp and pointed instrument without a police licence, breaching the terms of a three year conditional discharge and relapsing.

The prosecution, led by Police Inspector Anthony Cassar said in court that the accused had a long history of convictions and has been on drugs for the past 10 years. He added that Portelli never took advantage of the chances given to him.

Dr Patrick Valentino was legal aid to the accused.