Jurors start deliberations in fraud trial

Jurors this morning started their deliberations in the trial by jury of Vincenzo Stivala, 74, who has been accused of fraudulently cashing a cheque for €52,507 which was not issued in his name.

Prosecutors said the cheque had been issued by mistake in the name of Charles Dimech, by the Water Services Corporation. The mistake was that Mr Dimech, who had carried out some work for the corporation, had already been paid.

Mr Stivala cashed the cheque for his friend Charles Meilaq who refused to tell the court where he got the cheque from but said that at the time he used to lend money to people.