Updated: Libyan in citizen's arrest admits trying to steal car while drunk

A 39-year-old Libyan was given a six-month jail term suspended for four years after he pleaded guilty to attempting to steal a car, damaging the car and being drunk to the point that he could not take care of himself. Libyan Abdulati Mohamed who lives in Naxxar, was found rummaging through a car which did not belong to him. The car owner's brother,  arrested the perpetrator, restrained him until the police arrived. The incident happened at about 12.45am in Vjal ir-Repubblika, Gharghur. Magistrate Francesco Depasquale asked the man what had happened and Mr Mohamed said he went to watch a football match in Gharghur but could not remember much after that because he got terribly drunk. He said he thought the car was his because he has a similar one. Police Inspector Josric Mifsud said Mr Mohamed was well known to the police because of his drinking problems. In handing down judgment, Magistrate Depasquale told Mr Mohamed he should have been jailed over this but "sending you to prison will not solve anything. "You can watch as much football and celebrate as much as you like but you cannot drink alcohol," he warned him.