Addicted gambler filed false police report

A 49-year-old man was put on probation for three years after he admitted to falsely claiming he was the victim of a hold-up.

Magistrate Edwina Grima heard how Raymond Buttigieg, of Floriana, had gone to the Valletta police station on Friday and filed a police report claiming he had been held up and cash was stolen from him.

Mr Buttigieg admitted to filing the false report. His lawyer, Kevin Camilleri, explained that his actions were a result of his gambling problems.

Magistrate Grima put Mr Buttigieg on probation for three years and ordered that he carry out a rehabilitation programme to overcome his addiction to gambling.

Police Inspectors Keith Arnaud and James Grech prosecuted.