A Court of Appeal yesterday ordered for a case to be reheard by the magistrates’ court after noting two procedural discrepancies in which the case was handled.

The case involved Ian Farrugia, who was cleared of stealing various works of art from a house in Old Bakery Street, Valletta, on 5 April 2004 with other accomplices.

He was also cleared of handling stolen property and of relapsing in view of previous convictions. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Joe Galea Debono, took into account the Attorney General’s claims that the prosecution was impeded from submitting evidence in the magistrates’ court and said that there were two mistakes which resulted in a substantial breach of procedure.

The court therefore acquiesced to the Attorney General’s appeal and ordered the revocation of a not guilty verdict. The case will now be sent back to the magistrates’ court to be heard afresh.