Admits to stealing painting from church

A man admitted to returning to the church where his father’s funeral was celebrated, and stealing an old painting from the walls in an “act of rage”.

14 November 2012, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

1 min read

Accused Eric Sapiano told the court that he didnt have any explanation as to why he really stole the painting, except that he stole it in a sudden act of rage.

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43 year-old Eric Sapiano of Sliema admitted this afternoon to stealing an 1812 painting of the Madonna by Giorgio Hyzler from Ta' Gizu Church in Rabat, in an "act of rage".

Sapiano, was arrested within hours of the theft being reported yesterday, after a priest remembered the accused at his father's funeral which had been celebrated there a year ago.

He told the court that he didn't have any explanation as to why he really stole the painting, except that he stole it in a "sudden act of rage."

He also said that he intended to return the painting today, but he couldn't because he was held at the Police lock-up.

"When the police knocked on my door, I immediately handed them the painting. I never meant to sell it to anybody," Sapiano claimed.