The jail term imposed on a man who stole more than e2,329.27 (Lm1,000) when he broke into an elderly woman’s house was commuted to three years’ probation.

The Court of Magistrates had found Philip Camilleri guilty of breaking into the residence of Maria Mangiafico in Hamrun on 5 June 2005 around 2.30pm.

Camilleri appealed the decision, stating that he was excessively punished considering that that was his first serious crime. He also said a prison term would jeopardise his current secure employment.

The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice David Scicluna, turned the penalty into a three-year probation period.