Serial killer Salvatore Mangion, 47, of Żejtun, was late yesterday evening unanimously found guilty of the murder of Maria Stella Magrin, 68, at her house in Cospicua, almost 26 years ago.

Mr Mangion, who was 21 at the time, is already serving two terms in jail, one of them for life, for the murder of two other people.

Mr Mangion was also found guilty of possessing a weapon and of stealing money from the victim.

The Magrin murder saw a breakthrough 20 years after it was committed after police learned that Mr Mangion was boasting with people that he had got away with murder. He had two accomplices with him.

Ms Magrin was stabbed 13 times in the back on 29 October, 1986.

Earlier yesterday, prosecutor Nadine Sant told the jurors that forensic evidence was corroborated by statements of the accused and of his accomplice.

Defence counsel Simon Micallef Stafrace had remarked that the jurors must decide on facts and not according to their emotions.

Mr Mangion will be sentenced on Monday.