Three years after a 19th-century painting was stolen from the Ta’ Ġieżu church in Valletta, a man was yesterday charged with its theft and that of other artefacts from other churches.

Eric Sapiano, 46, from Sliema, pleaded not guilty to stealing the 1861 painting by Antonio Falzon on February 22, 2012.

The painting adorned a small side altar in a section of the church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

During yesterday’s arraignment, Mr Sapiano was also charged with stealing an antique vase from the Stella Maris parish church in Sliema, a silver chalice from the Safi church last August, and a silver vase from St Paul’s church, Valletta, in February of this year.

He was also charged with stealing an antique vase from St Publius parish church in Floriana on April 18, the possession of a stolen silver plate bearing the St Dominic emblem, the illegal possession of items of cultural heritage, and relapsing. He is pleading not guilty to all the charges.

The value of the stolen items is estimated to run into the thousands of euros.

Mr Sapiano was arrested on Tuesday morning after a number of works of art were seized by the police during a search of his property.

In November 2012, Mr Sapiano had been given a six-month suspended jail term for stealing a 1812 painting by Giuseppe Hyzler from the Ta’ Ġieżu church in Rabat. He said he did so out of anger for what had happened to him during his lifetime.

Lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace appeared for the accused, who was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted.