‘Imniehru’ double murder suspect gets six years for 2010 jewellery hold-up

Suspect in murder of drug trafficker Mario Camilleri, gets six years’ jail for holding jeweller Frank Zampa against his will in botched hold-up

Mark Scicluna's court sketch: defendant Jason Galea and his former defence lawyer Joe Giglio.
Mark Scicluna's court sketch: defendant Jason Galea and his former defence lawyer Joe Giglio.

Jason Galea, one of the men accused of murdering drug trafficker Mario Camilleri l-Imniehru in 2013, has been jailed for six and a half years this morning, for his part in a botched hold-up at a Valletta jewellery shop in 2010, in which the elderly shopkeeper was grievously injured.

Galea had denied charges of attempted aggravated theft and of holding Frank Zampa - 79-years-old at the time - against his will, threatening to kill him, seriously injuring him, being in possession of an unlicensed firearm, causing damage to Zampa's property and relapsing.

Another man, Michael Zahra, had admitted his involvement, while a third man, Marcus John Calleja, was imprisoned for three years as well.

The two men had been arraigned in 2011 in connection with the failed armed robbery of the jeweller's. Zahra, 42 of Valletta and Galea, 40, of Birzebbugia had originally pleaded not guilty but later filed an admission.

 Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech noted that it had emerged that Galea's role in the heist was to restrain Zampa's son. 

When he and his two accomplices had stormed the shop, masked and armed with a revolver and a crowbar. Calleja had testified that, without warning Zahra had fired shots and the robbers, who had not planned to shoot, had panicked and fled empty handed.

Noticing that the revolver was an imitation firearm, Zampa had succeeded in grabbing his assailant's weapon before the robbers escaped towards Victoria Gate, where a getaway car was waiting.

While resisting the two men Zampa said he had felt something graze his cheek as the revolver went off at close range. He also recalled receiving electrical shocks from a device held by Calleja and that he had received hospital treatment for his injuries. In separate proceedings, Marcus John Calleja, 40, of Balzan, had pleaded guilty to his involvement in the attempted hold-up and had been jailed for three-years.

The court noted that there was no evidence showing that the accused had been aware that one of his fellow robbers had been packing a pistol, clearing him of the charges related to the firearm, but found him guilty of attempted robbery, holding a person against his will, damaging Zampa's property and relapsing, for which he was sentenced to spend six and a half years in prison.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli was defence counsel to Galea.