Barman in possession of counterfeit money

A 39-year-old man who was found in possession of three counterfeit Maltese lira notes in 2005 has been given a suspended jail term.

Carmel Callus was caught by the police near Black Gold Bar in Sliema on August 6, five years ago with the two fake Lm10 notes and a Lm2 note in his wallet.

In a statement to the police, Mr Callus said he used to work as a barman and someone had purchased drinks using the notes. He kept them in a bid to try and pass them on to someone else just as the other person had done.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli found him guilty of being in possession of the notes and handed down a two-year prison term suspended for four years. Lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared for Mr Callus.