Joseph Zammit, 52, was found by guilty by 7-2 and sentenced to 31 years on Thursday night for being an accomplice in the murder of Alphonse Ferriggi, a bank manager, eight years ago.

On the 18th of September 2000, at around 0530 CET, 42 year old Ferriggi, was delivering internal bank mail to the San Ġwann Bank of Valletta branch when he was shot in the head from a black Volkswagen Golf.

Four people are claimed to have been involved in the murder of the bank manager - Richard Grech, James Vella, Chris Scerri and Joseph Zammit. The latter’s job was to drive the getaway car.

Mr Grech is currently awaiting trial by jury while Mr Vella and Mr Scerri have not yet been arraigned.

During the trial, Zammit defence lawyer, Jose Herrera, asked the court to take into consideration that Zammit was not the one who had pulled the trigger.

However, prosecuting lawyer, Aaron Bugeja, said that such crimes are ‘unacceptable’ and reminded the court of the seriousness of the crime.