Pleads guilty to defrauding three shops

A 60-year-old Englishman has been jailed two years suspended for three after he pleaded guilty to defrauding three shops of more than €11,000.

George Clayton, of East Sussex in the UK, defrauded Cutajar Ltd €1,304, Classic Jewellers €2,830 and Edward Lowell Co. Ltd €6,900.

Defence lawyer Stefano Filletti told the court his client used to work in Malta and when his job ended, his employer said he would deposit the payment due into a Maltese bank account.

Before going back to UK, Mr Clayton issued three cheques with which he purchased gifts for his family. But as his employer had not deposited the payment, the cheques bounced.

His client, Dr Filletti said, had to be brought to Malta following the issue of a European arrest warrant.

Police Inspector Angelo Gafa said he was contesting this version of events but did not offer an alternative one.