17 years have elapsed since Peter Jones, 58 of Sliema, was murdered in his apartment in October 1997. Yet, his murder has remained unsolved and the murderer never caught due to lack of evidence.

In today’s issue of Illum, specialist crime reporter John Pisani recounts how Jones had requested police protection following a botched attempt on his life.

Peter Jones was discovered dead by his nephew after neighbours reported foul smell coming from his apartment. His neigbours raised the alarm after not seeing him for three days. A year earlier, in 1996, Jones was assaulted by a 19-year-old Syrian man. The aggressor had confided in his victim that a Tunisian man had engaged him to kill him.

Four days before Jones was murdered, the Syrian man was sentenced to 12-months in prison. The court had ordered an immediate extradition.

Meanwhile, Jones feared the Tunisian was still after him and repetitively sought police protection. He complained that the Police had done nothing to arrest the Tunisian, despite the attempt on his life.

Jones had also alleged that the same Tunisian had once attacked him and attempted to suffocate him with a wire.

Jones was also reported to having travelled a number of times to Tunisia. His last trip took place a few weeks before he was murdered. The reason behind Jones’s trips to Tunisia are unknown.

It however transpires that Jones had spotted the unnamed Tunisian at the Malta International Airport as well.

Jones’s murder remains shrouded in mystery and evidence collected was not enough to lead to any arraignments.

Read the full report in Illum