Repeat offender jailed for 28 months after series of thefts

A magistrate has warned a young serial offender that he must seek help with his drug addiction as it was going to land him in serious trouble one day.

Earlier today, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard 21-year-old Christopher Ryan, from Valletta, plead guilty to the theft of several necklaces, worth approximately €1,000 in total, from three elderly women in Hamrun and Santa Venera. The thefts took place over a period of months spanning from May to July this year.

Police Inspectors Fabian Fleri and Kurt Zahra, prosecuting, told the court that Ryan would rip the necklaces from his victim’s necks before making off with them.

Ryan was also found guilty of relapsing.

Defence lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili told the magistrate that the accused was battling drug addiction and asked the court to instruct the Director of Prisons to help him address this issue.

“You are far too young to be in court and you have been here too many times already,” said the magistrate, commenting on the accused’s previous convictions.

“You need to change your ways because you are going to land yourself in more trouble,” said the magistrate as she handed the man a 28-month prison sentence.