Career criminal Alfred Bugeja, better known as Il-Porporina, was yesterday jailed for a further 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 prison.

The court heard that Mr Agius and Mr Bugeja broke into a warehouse in Canon Road, Santa Venera, and Johann Cuschieri, the nephew of the warehouse owner, saw them.

He called his uncle, who said he had not given anyone permission to enter the warehouse. Mr Cuschieri followed them and took a photograph of the car they were using. He also picked out the men during an identification parade at the police headquarters.

Mr Agius immediately admitted to his involvement in the robbery.

He cooperated with the police and took them to a Qormi garage where the stolen items, which had a value of Lm400, 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.

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