A Marsaxlokk fisherman who three years ago was acquitted of involvement in a murder case dating back almost two decades has been jailed for five and a half years after admitting to aggravated drug possession.

Piero Di Bartolo pleaded guilty to charges of possessing cannabis resin and other parts of the cannabis plant, as well as cocaine, in circumstances indicating that the drugs were not intended for personal use.

He was also charged with breaching bail conditions that had been imposed on 7 February 2006 in connection with proceedings over the murder of Albert Brian Rosso. Di Bartolo had been cleared of any involvement in that case in 2023.

The accused had initially pleaded not guilty to the drug-related charges. However, on 25 February the Attorney General and the defence filed a joint application requesting that, should the accused admit to the charges, he be sentenced to five years and six months in prison, together with an €18,000 fine and other penalties imposed by the court.

Di Bartolo subsequently changed his plea and admitted to the charges.

On Thursday, the Criminal Court confirmed that the accused had been given sufficient time to consider his decision and understood the legal consequences of his plea. The court also took into account the seriousness of the offences and the man's criminal record. It noted that although the guilty plea came after the Bill of Indictment had been issued, the jury trial had not yet commenced.

Finding no reason to depart from the punishment proposed in the joint application, the court sentenced Di Bartolo to five years and six months in prison. He was also fined €18,000 and ordered to pay €6,027.44 in court expenses.

The case was heard before Mr Justice Neville Camilleri. Prosecuting on behalf of the Attorney General was lawyer Kenneth Camilleri, while lawyer Roberto Montalto represented the accused.