Cleared of usury

A 30-year-old Birzebbuga man has been cleared of usury due to conflicting evidence.

Magistrate Carol Peralta cleared Oliver Demicoli of the charge brought against him after ruling that the case pivoted around the 17-page version of Demicoli and the conflicting three-page version of Alfred Scicluna.

"This is a matter of credibility. As in all cases, there exist two versions, both of which are credible but, perhaps, in this case one is more credible than the other as it is more detailed," the magistrate said.

This created doubt which by law was to be applied in favour of the accused. For his reason the magistrate cleared Demicoli of the charge.

Inspector Michael Mallia prosecuted.