Three confess to misappropriating over €350,000

Two former employees of Charles Polidano, also known as Iċ-Ċaqnu, together with a director of Newco Steel Ltd, yesterday pleaded guilty to misappropriating, defrauding and stealing more than €350,000 from the entrepreneur.

Magistrate Anthony Vella heard Richard Attard, 50, of Fgura, Duncan Cefai, 32, of Marsascala and Charlene Pace, 24, of Luqa admit to forging documents, defrauding and misappropriating the sum in question between January 2007 and last July to the detriment of Polmesh Ltd owned by Mr Polidano.

The court heard Mr Attard admit to misappropriating €280,000, Mr Cefai to misappropriating €39,000 and Ms Pace to misappropriating €37,000.

Lawyers Michael Sciriha and Ian Farrugia, appearing in parte civile, told the court they have no objection to the accused being granted bail.

After taking into consideration the seriousness of the charges brought against them, the court granted Mr Cefai and Ms Pace bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 each and Mr Attard bail against a personal guarantee of €50,000.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyers Gianella Caruana Curran and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Ms Pace.

Lawyers José Herrera and Veronique Dalli appeared for Mr Cefai.

Lawyer Johann Debono represented Mr Attard.