Guilty of using counterfeit telecard

A Mellieha man was conditionally discharged for two years for making use of a counterfeit telecard to the detriment of Maltacom.

Joe Fenech, 38, was also found guilty of making use of Maltacom`s design or model of manufacture without consent, breaching telecommunication regulations by buying a counterfeit telecard and committing a crime he was duty bound to prevent.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima heard how, following information that counterfeit telecards were being used, the police questioned several people, including Fenech.

The police searched his house where, with Fenech`s cooperation, they found a counterfeit telecard. Fenech told the police he had bought the telecard from a certain Tony Spiteri and had used it to make overseas phone calls.

The magistrate recommended that Fenech would not lose his job due to this case because it seemed he had learnt his lesson once and for all.

Police Inspector Carmelo Bartolo prosecuted.