A man battling a drug problem will join his brother in prison after the theft of a tablet computer landed him with an eight month effective jail term.
Kaled Mukthar Ben Gamhur, 37, born in Libya and residing in Valletta, was charged with having stolen the gadget from a vehicle parked close to Castille Square, Valletta, on Sunday afternoon.
The man was also charged with being a relapser and with having committed the offence during the operative period of a probation sentence delivered in August.
After hearing the accused plead guilty to the charges, Magistrate Joe Mifsud condemned him to an effective jail term of eight months, whilst strongly urging him to make the most of his time behind bars to overcome his drug-related problems.
"In prison you will receive all the help you need. Do not waste this opportunity," the magistrate said.
Mr Gamhur joins his brother in prison, where he is also serving time for thefts from cars.
Inspector Daryl Borg prosecuted.
Lawyer Leontine Calleja was legal aid.
