Man says he fled after usury threats against himself and children

A man spoke about serious usury threats against his family and himself when he gave testimony in court today after having been accused of violating bail conditions.

Gaetan Gatt, 41 of Marsa, looked highly emotional as he said that a certain Yvonne Mackay was demanding €200 a day from him after he had borrowed money from her.

He said that his family had received a number of threats and he had been beaten up by 11 men near the Labour Party Club in Hamrun, without anyone trying to help him. He was also previously assaulted twice.

As a result, he said, he had fled his home and moved to a hotel. He did not sign the bail register at the police station because people would wait for him there.

Mr Gatt said he had also received threats that his children would be killed and that acid would be thrown at them.

Also giving evidence, his estranged wife said she had left home, and she confirmed that Ms Mackay had threatened her. Damage had also been caused to the door of her house.

Police Inspector James Grech said this was the first time he was hearing of such serious allegations. However, he had been told about usury but the accused had repeatedly declined police offers to help.

He said that through his financial problems, the accused had also caused huge problems to his family and made them victims.

Magistrate Anthony Vella found Mr Gatt guilty of breaching bail conditions (which stemmed from theft charges) and jailed him for three months. He also revoked his personal guarantee of €5,000.

Mr Gatt immediately filed an appeal, but had been kept in preventive arrest.