Bogus meter readers target elderly consumers

Two men posing as meter readers threatened to cut off the water and electricity supply to elderly people if they did not pay them for outstanding bills.

Arturo Busuttil, 46, and his friend Phillip Borg, 39, would target the elderly telling them they had pending bills and if they did not settle immediately they would suspend their water and power supplies, the prosecution is alleging.

The two men were charged with fraud yesterday. The men were arrested on December 9 in connection with crimes reported in different localities.

Their lawyer, Mark Busuttil, told the court they were pleading not guilty, only to provoke an outburst by Mr Busuttil who insisted he wanted to plead guilty.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke gave the lawyer some time to discuss the matter with his client and Dr Busuttil explained to the accused he would have to be careful as he had a suspended jail term hanging over him.

On returning to the dock, Mr Busuttil passionately told the magistrate that he had no other option but to do what he had done as "they cut off my electricity, I have no food, I have nothing".

Dr Busuttil then informed the court that his clients were pleading guilty. He said the case was truly an exceptional one and asked the magistrate to take this into account when passing judgment.

Police Inspector Anthony Portelli told the court the two men had defrauded the known victims out of more than €232 and that there were more people who still had to come forward. Magistrate Clarke postponed sentencing until Friday.