Man Who Stole 19th Century Medals Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison
The man who stole two gold medals from the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa, 25 year-old Justin Mallia, was sentenced to seven years in prison earlier today, according to the Times of Malta.
Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia ordered that the €20,000 held as bail money are to be confiscated.
Mallia was arrested in March, after the two medals – worth around €400,000 and awarded between 1800 and 1801 to leaders and members of the National Congress battalions who fought to liberate Malta from the French, went missing.
Mallia was posing as an official from the Education department and due to the fact that an event for schoolchildren was taking place, he was granted access by museum security.
He had only been out on bail for a couple days and was identified clearly on CCTV footage. Mallia was tracked down and arrested at his home, he handed over the medals and told police officers that he stole the medals to pay off pending debts.
Paul Camilleri, prosecuting inspector, told the court that the medals suffered “irreversible damage” due to brushing against other items inside the pouch he placed them in.
He was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison, two of which were given for breaching bail.
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