With a 49-page criminal record listing 52 convictions, Alfred Bugeja, also known as Il-Porporina, was yesterday jailed for seven years for theft.

In a trial by jury, Mr Bugeja was found guilty by seven votes to two of stealing a Toyota Hilux that contained a shotgun, from in front of an ironmongery shop in Naxxar on May 15, 2006.

Jurors returned with the verdict after about two hours of deliberation at the end of a two-day trial which saw Mr Bugeja categorically deny his involvement in the theft.

Chief Justice Vincent DeGaetano on Monday heard how Mr Bugeja was caught together with another two men, Luke Farrugia and Malcolm Mifsud, shortly after a report was received about the stolen vehicle. They were driving in another car and acting suspiciously. In San Ġwann they were stopped by the police and officers noticed a gun under Mr Bugeja's feet. He was sitting at the back. It was the same gun that had been stolen from the Hilux.

Mr Bugeja said in court that while he was in the car with the other men, he had stopped to use the toilet and when he returned he found Mr Mifsud and Mr Farrugia opening a side door of the Hilux and handling a gun. He said they put it in their car and they drove off together.

He denied stealing either the gun or the Hilux.

Lawyer Jason Grima from the Attorney General's office prosecuted.

Lawyer Malcolm Mifsud appeared as legal aid for Mr Bugeja.