John Paul Charles Woods, the man suspected of killing a woman and hiding her body in a Valletta ditch for 11 years, has been jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to the attempted armed robbery of a Convenience Shop outlet in Gzira.

Woods, 39, was arrested last week following the attempted hold-up and, while in custody, confessed to killing Charlene Farrugia back in 2008 and hiding her remains in bags in a ditch by the Valletta bastions. Some reports state that Woods had first come clean to doctors while he was being treated for psychological issues at Mount Carmel.

In court this morning, Woods pleaded guilty to the attempted hold-up, prompting magistrate Charmaine Galea to jail him for seven years – four years for the hold-up and three years for breaching two probation orders – and to fine him €4,200.

Woods has not yet been formally charged with the murder of Farrugia, with police reportedly awaiting DNA tests of the remains to confirm their suspicions.

Cover photos: TVM 

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