Joseph Cini, known as Il-Pelé, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for handling a stolen 16th century painting after a magistrate noted that his criminal record was like a booklet listing 29 convictions.

Mr Cini, 48, of St Paul’s Bay was cleared of stealing the painting from a residence in the town February 2001 but was found guilty of handling it and relapsing.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard William Burridge say that on February 17, 2001, he returned home at about 11 p.m. and found someone had broken in. Several items, including silverware and a valuable painting, had been stolen. The painting was insured for about €1,165. A few months later, he noticed the artwork – a 16th century painting of St Luke in a gold coloured frame – was being auctioned.

Steve Zammit testified he ran into Mr Cini carrying a painting. Mr Cini asked him for a lift as he wanted to sell it, assuring him it was not stolen.

However, Mr Cini insisted it was Mr Zammit who had asked him for help to sell the painting.

Given the evidence, the court ruled that, while it had not been proven who had stolen the work of art, Mr Cini was aware that it was stolen.

In her judgement, the magistrate felt for the benefit of the media, she should explain why the case dragged on for 11 years.

Sixty sittings had been held and the prosecution had declared it had no more evidence in July 2010 followed by the defence this May.

The prosecution had failed to turn up for 17 sittings and the accused did not appear 25 times.

The defence lawyers, who changed several times throughout the case, did not turn up on 39 occasions.

The court had also put off the case once.

Justice Minister Chris Said recently recommended that judges and magistrates should fine any party – whether the prosecution, defence, the accused or a witness – who did not turn up for a valid reason.

The Chamber of Advocates said judges and magistrates themselves should also be held accountable.