An unemployed chef who resorted to raiding construction sites to sustain his drug habit has been handed a 20-month jail term after being warned by the court to change his ways.

Eman Ebejer, 32, from Kirkop, admitted upon his arraignment on Friday to having targeted two construction sites, two vacant premises and another residence, all over the span of a fortnight.

The court heard how the various properties were located in the accused’s hometown, with the first targeted on March 20 and the last on April 3, when his theft attempt was thwarted.

It was reportedly confidential information that put the police on the trail of the suspected thief, who pleaded guilty to four charges of aggravated theft and another charge of attempted theft.

The man also pleaded guilty to being a relapser and to having committed the alleged offences while under a conditional discharge.

“You don’t want to learn, it seems,” duty magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera remarked, addressing the accused.

“I want to learn,” the man sheepishly replied.

“You must change your life, otherwise someone will end up finding you dead in some corner,” the magistrate warned.

The prosecution informed the court that the stolen tools belonging to two of the victims had been recovered by the police and were to be returned to their lawful owners.

Taking into consideration the man's character, the particular circumstances of the case, the value of the stolen items as well as the man’s early guilty plea, the court declared him guilty and handed down a 20-month effective jail term.

In view of the man’s drug problem, the court recommended that the Director of Prison was to afford all necessary help so that the accused might undergo a rehabilitation programme to kick his habit.

“Take my advice and change your life. You’re young and still in time to do so,” was the magistrate’s parting message to the man standing in the dock.

Inspectors Fabian Fleri and Lydon Zammit prosecuted. Lawyer Ishmael Psaila was defence counsel.