A man who in 2008 was jailed for five years after being found guilty of theft from 16 churches today was granted bail after facing similar charges.

Joseph Attard, 42 from Għaxaq resident, was arrested in October for stealing two silver rosary beads adorning the St Catherine’s statue at the Żejtun parish church. 

He is also accused of stealing cash, hi-fi equipment and cigarettes from a Nationalist Party club in that same town back in 2003. 

Żejtun's parish priest testified, describing how two silver rosary beads adorning the titular statue had been stolen in October. The items were worth some €500. A donation box estimated to have contained some €60 was also raided.

Upon a fresh request by the defence and after having heard the testimony of civilian witnesses, the court granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000, imposing a curfew between 7pm and 7am and an obligation to sign the bail book three times weekly.

Inspector Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono and Yanika Vidal were defence counsel.