Judgment in the trial by jury of two men found guilty of trafficking illegal immigrants, harbouring them and assisting in their escape has been postponed after one of them fell ill following the verdict and hasn’t left hospital.

Hotel owners Phillip Azzopardi, 67, of Birkirkara and company director Joseph Vella, 54, of Victoria, were found guilty on Sunday after more than 24 hours of deliberation.

Mr Vella was taken ill after the verdict was read out and was given medical assistance in court before being taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Submissions on punishment were due to be made yesterday, however Mr Justice Michael Mallia had to postpone proceedings to the beginning of March as Mr Vella was still recovering in hospital.

Lawyer Lara Lanfranco from the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted.

Lawyers Emmanuel Mallia and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the men.

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