A man serving a 22-year jail term for murder was today jailed a further 20 months after he was found guilty of being in possession of sachets of cocaine and cannabis found in his cell during a search in September 2005.

Mario Pollacco, 50, who had killed his elderly neighbour in 1998, admitted that the drugs found in his possession were not actually his but he was keeping them for another inmate, who he did not name because he feared for his life.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras heard how correctional officers found the drugs wrapped in black tape hidden inside Playmobil motorcycles in a plastic bag inside his cell in Division 11.

They found nine sachets containing a total of 7.602 grams of heroin and 1.355 grams of cannabis.

Magistrate Galea Sciberras said that even though he had not taken the drugs into jail himself or conspired with others to traffic the drugs - charges on which he was cleared - he was still in possession of the drugs that were not for his exclusive use.

She jailed him for 20 months and fined him €900. She also ordered him to pay €800 in court expenses.

Police Inspector Pierre Grech prosecuted.