Alfred Bugeja, Il-Porporina, 55 of Valletta, has been sentenced to another 28 months in jail by an appeal court which found him guilty of an attempted theft from a Mid-Med Bank branch at the university 20 years ago.

In its sentence the appeal court accepted part of the appeal by the attorney general, saying that had the theft been successful, the stolen amount would have exceeded Lm1,000 (€2,333). Bugeja was also found guilty of causing damage at the branch.

The fingerprint of Bugeja’s left small finger was found on the spot, on the seam of a window at the back of the branch where there was a narrow passageway. The window was of the sliding type and its glass was broken, enabling it to be opened so that the thief or thieves could saw off the iron bars on the inside.

Bugeja denied involvement and that he was nowhere near. He could not explain his fingerprint except by saying that the police have his fingerprints “which can be transported anywhere”.

Mr Justice David Scicluna said it was easy to make such an allegation. Bugeja had various sentences to see out, and had been found guilty at least 19 times for various crimes, including possession and aggravated possession of drugs, and thefts. Alfred Bugeja had in fact not learned anything from his past.