Well-known criminal Alfred Bugeja, nicknamed Il-Porporina, was today jailed for 33 months after he was found guilty of a theft from a warehouse in 2008. 

His partner-in-crime, Clive Agius, was sentenced to 24 months in jail and had a 15-month suspended sentence added to his punishment, for a total of 39 months in jail. 

The court heard how Mr Agius and Mr Bugeja broke into a warehouse in Canon Road, Santa Venera, when Johann Cuschieri, the nephew of the warehouse owner, saw two men opening his uncle's warehouse.

He called his uncle who told him he had not given anyone permission to go into the warehouse so he followed them and even took a photograph of the car they were using. He also identified the men during an identification parade at the police headquarters. 

The court heard how Mr Agius immediately admitted to his involvement in the robbery. The stolen items had a value of some Lm400. He cooperated with the police and even took them to a Qormi garage where the stolen items were hidden. 

While Mr Agius admitted to the charges, Mr Bugeja continued to deny his involvement, saying Mr Agius simply stopped to give him a lift a block away from where the police had stopped them. 

Handing down judgment, Magistrate Ian Farrugia took into consideration the men's criminal records and the fact that Mr Agius had returned the stolen items. The court jailed Mr Bugeja for 33 months and Mr Agius for 24. He also brought into effect Mr Agius's 15-month suspended jail term. 

Police Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted. Lawyers Veronique Dalli represented Mr Agius while lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace appeared for Mr Bugeja.

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