The former boyfriend of the daughter of murdered drug trafficker Mario Camilleri 'l-Imniehru' has been found not guilty of having assisted his then girlfriend in stealing a substantial amount of cash from her family home in Swieqi 12 years ago.

Luke Farrugia, 30, from Gzira, had been accused of complicity in and enjoyment of the proceeds of the theft which took place on March 8, 2005.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia, heard the girl's mother, Emanuela Camilleri recount how the cash, which allegedly totalled some €69,000, had been taken from its hiding place inside the Camilleri home.

That same day, the Camilleri couple's daughter had gone missing and had later contacted her family with a tale of having been kidnapped.

However, when she turned up some days later she told the police that she had taken the money from her parents' home and handed it to Mr Farrugia who needed it for a car repair job.

No criminal proceedings were instituted against the girl since her parents had forgiven her and did not want to press charges.

During proceedings against Mr Farrugia, Ms Camilleri had implicated him as the person who had instigated her to take the money from the family home, an allegation which the accused categorically denied.

The prosecution had laid emphasis upon circumstantial evidence which allegedly pointed towards Mr Farrugia's involvement in the theft. It had been observed that the latter had subsequently gone on a spending spree, buying designer sports shoes and a pedigree puppy for Ms Camilleri.

The court noted that there were various conflicting statements in the testimony given by Ms Camilleri and also by her mother.

It was observed that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the alleged theft had actually taken place. Ms Camilleri's testimony " was confusing and presented seriously conflicting versions which gave rise to a reasonable doubt in favour of the accused."

The court therefore acquitted the accused of all the charges.

Inspector Sharon Tanti prosecuted.

Lawyer Giannella de Marco was defence counsel.

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