Former convict Fabio Psaila, wanted for questioning over last week’s botched hold-up on a jeweller in Attard, was still at large, police sources said yesterday.

On Monday, the police made a public appeal for information that could lead them to Mr Psaila, 28.

Police sources said they did not think Mr Psaila had left the island but his appearance could have changed from the mug shot published with the appeal: “He could have grown a beard or something. We don’t really know what he looks like now.”

The hold-up was allegedly committed by three people, including Darren Debono, who had been charged with involvement in the foiled robbery on HSBC in Qormi last June but was out on bail.

Mr Psaila was also questioned over the HSBC attempted robbery but was not charged.

During the attempted hold-up in Attard last week, the jeweller was attacked outside his home but his son managed to snatch a gun from one of the assailants and shot Mr Debono in the leg. Mr Debono is still in hospital and has not yet been questioned or arraigned. The third man is also on the run.

Over the past few years Mr Psaila, who is said to live in Ħamrun, has faced charges of car theft and handling stolen goods. He was jailed for four years by a Sicilian court for drug trafficking in 2002 but was last April cleared by a Maltese court of stealing a car in 1998.

Those who have any information on his whereabouts should phone 119. Confidentiality will be respected.