Career criminal jailed for another four years, a day after being jailed for 21 months

A day after he was jailed for 21 months for stealing, US-born Stephen Francis Galli has now been sentenced to an additional four years and three months behind bars after admitting to committing two separate thefts.

In the first case, Galli, 50, of Washington, was jailed for another 21 months after pleading guilty to stealing a donation box from Chemimart pharmacy in Valletta in July. The accused had been caught on tape and was later arrested by district police.

The court heard that the accused – a career criminal with a severe drug problem - also admitted to stealing perfume and other cosmetics from the same shop in November 2013.

Moreover, Galli was jailed for an additional two-and-a-half years after he pleaded guilty to stealing a bag containing precious silverware and jewellery meant to be exhibited at the Preluna Hotel in Sliema. The theft occurred on September 4, 2012

Galli also admitted to breaching bail conditions, to committing a crime within the operative period of a suspended sentence, and to relapsing.

In its decrees, the court, presided by Magistrate Neville Camilleri, noted that the man has a voluminous criminal record and that despite several chances to reform, he relapsed.

Moreover, the court held that notwithstanding his cooperation with police, his admission, and his drug problem, the accused should nevertheless be jailed and undergo a drug rehabilitation programme.

Inspectors Daryl Borg and Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted.