Magistrate lists reasons for court delays as man is jailed for handling stolen property

A man was today jailed for two-and-a-half years for handling property stolen in February 2001.

Joseph Cini, 48, St Paul's Bay, known as il-Pele, was also found guilty of relapsing.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard William Burridge say that on February 17, 2001, he arrived home at around 11 p.m. to find his bed undone and his pillowcase missing.

He started looking around the house and realised that several objects, including a 16th century painting of St Luke's in a gold coloured, valued at around €1,165, were stolen and a few months later he saw the painting advertised in an auction announcement of Mizzi antiques.

Witness Stephen Zammit told the court that he had bumped into Mr Cini, who was carrying a painting. Mr Cini asked him for a lift and help to sell the painting. He denied that the painting was stolen.

However, Mr Cini said that he had met Mr Zammit who had a painting and needed help to sell it.

In view of the conflicting evidence, Magistrate Herrera found that there was not enough evidence to prove that Mr Cini had stolen the painting but he was found guilty of handling stolen property and relapsing.

Given that his criminal record was like a booklet with 29 convictions already on it, she handed him an effective jail term.

CHRONOLOGY OF CASE

In her judgement, Magistrate Herrera pointed out a chronology of the case to show the media what had led to it being delayed for so long.

Although the incident took place in February 2001, the arraignment was in July 2002.

Until today, the court held 60 sittings. The prosecution closed its case in July 2010 while the defence wrapped up in May this year.

The prosecution, Magistrate Herrera said, failed to turn up for 17 hearings and the accused for 25 sittings. The defence counsel failed to appear 39 times and the accused changed lawyer frequently throughout the case.

Only one sitting was postponed at the request of the court.