Jailed for shop burglary

A Cospicua man was yesterday jailed for three-and-a-half years for burgling a shop.

Martin Gouder, 38, pleaded guilty to stealing Lm425 from Tip Toes in Paola to the detriment of Ivan Azzopardi, and causing less than Lm50 damage at the shop on October 20, 2001.

Gouder also admitted committing the crime during the operative time of two suspended one-year jail terms, and relapsing.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera noted that, among other things, Gouder had been convicted of theft 12 times, had been put on probation seven times and given two suspended jail terms.

She also noted that he had not turned up for several court sittings.

The magistrate ordered that the two suspended jail terms be put into effect and jailed him for an additional 18 months.

Police Inspector David Saliba prosecuted.