A man allegedly stole his girlfriend’s new cheque book and used it to pay for a meal and a night together at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana last week.

Josef Grech, 29, of Marsascala, was arraigned yesterday and accused of theft and fraud.

He took the cheque book from his girlfriend’s residence and used two cheques at the Excelsior, one to pay for a meal to which he also invited his family, Police Inspector James Grech told the court.

Unbeknown to Mr Grech, his girlfriend had contacted the bank to tell them her cheque book had not arrived and instructed the bank to close the account.

When the cheques bounced, the bank realised that someone else had used the cheque book.

Defence lawyer Leslie Cuschieri argued the whole incident was just a misunderstanding and requested bail. Magistrate Antonio Mizzi acceded to the request on condition Mr Grech made a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.