Darren Debono ‘it-Topo’ has pleaded guilty over his role in the failed 2010 HSBC heist ahead of Vince Muscat’s trial, which is set to begin on Thursday.

MaltaToday reports that Debono pleaded guilty during an urgent sitting held on Wednesday evening.

While his sentence will be handed down on Thursday, he is expected to serve ten and a half years as part of a guilty plea deal. MaltaToday also reports that an attempted homicide charge has been dropped from his charge sheet.

Debono will now testify as a witness in the trial of Vince Muscat, known as il-Kohhu, who admitted his part in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Debono’s lawyer is Edward Gatt. Franco Debono and Roberto Montalto will be appearing for Muscat.