Jailed for theft

A 41-year-old man was yesterday jailed for 18 months for breaking into a shop and stealing a car five years ago.

Carmel Mugliett, of Senglea, pleaded guilty to stealing over Lm100 worth in beauty products and other items from Monopole in Valletta on January 25, 1999.

He also admitted to causing over Lm10 damage to the shop, stealing a car to the detriment of Paul Debono and relapsing.

Magistrate Abigail Lofaro heard how Mugliett, who was with his brother at the time of the burglary, decided to break into the shop because he needed money to buy drugs.

The magistrate heard that apart from having a drug problem Mugliett also needed psychological assistance and heard his defence counsel ask the court to show clemency in handing down judgment as Mugliett was currently serving time for other cases and was to remain in prison until 2007.

After evaluating the circumstances of the case Magistrate Lofaro ruled that although she understood that Mugliett had problems, she could not give the message that one could keep breaking the law and be released from prison as through nothing had happened.

She jailed Mugliett for 18 months and recommended the director of prison to allow him to attend a drug rehabilitation programme.