An unemployed was handed a ticket to jail on Thursday after admitting to several charges of theft, just weeks after serving time behind bars.

Valletta resident Claudio Mallia, 36, was taken into police custody after having been caught red-handed last Tuesday evening while attempting to steal from an eyewear store in Qormi. The man's attempt was thwarted by shop staff who called in the police.

Investigations eventually linked the man to an earlier episode of theft from the same Qormi outlet, which had allegedly taken place in the very early hours of March 8.

During the arraignment, police also pressed charges over the attempted theft of a ladder strapped onto the roof of a van parked in Marsa on the evening of March 9. The suspected thief's plans were also disrupted that day when he was caught red-handed by the police.

Duty magistrate Joseph Mifsud, upon the accused's own admission of guilt, condemned him to an effective jail term of three years and eight months, while recommending that the Director of Prison was to ensure that the accused underwent a drug rehabilitation programme.

Inspectors Elliott Magro and Roderick Agius prosecuted.

Lawyer Josette Sultana was legal aid counsel.