A 30-year-old repeat offender today was jailed for four years after admitting to carrying an armed hold-up last week on a lotto booth in Fgura.

David Scicluna, from Santa Lucia, admitted to the aggravated theft of €3,000, holding lotto-both owner Anna Camilleri against her will and the unlawful possession of a knife last Wednesday at 3.15pm.

He also admitted to stealing jewellery from a house in Triq ir-Rummien in Marsascala the following day.

He pleaded guilty to committing the crime while serving a one-year suspended sentence.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri turned the suspended jail term into an effective one and further jailed him for three years for last week’s thefts.

The court recommended that the prison authorities assist Mr Scicluna with his drug addiction by ensuring he attends and completes a drug rehabilitation programme.