Guilty plea in simulated hold-up charge
A 54-year-old man who told police he was stopped by two men on his way to the market and robbed of Lm408 has been conditionally discharged for two years for simulating a hold-up last month. Anthony Gauci, of Xemxija, also pleaded guilty to perjury at...
A 54-year-old man who told police he was stopped by two men on his way to the market and robbed of Lm408 has been conditionally discharged for two years for simulating a hold-up last month.
Anthony Gauci, of Xemxija, also pleaded guilty to perjury at the Naxxar police station on January 22 and relapsing.
Magistrate Giovanni Grixti ruled that Gauci had not committed the offence with the intent to extort money or defraud an insurance agency but because he was in financial trouble and hoped that by saying he was robbed he could obtain his groceries for free.
The magistrate ruled that although he condemned such behaviour he could not treat the case as though it was committed with criminal capriciousness.
He also ordered that Gauci be generally interdicted for five years.
Police Inspectors Christopher Pullicino and Simon Galea prosecuted.
Dr Joseph R. Pace appeared for Gauci.