A convicted conman was yesterday released on bail after he denied fresh fraud charges.

Anthony Micallef, 49, from St Paul’s Bay, denied defrauding seven people by telling them that he could get cheap electronics from Eastern Europe or could secure jobs on oil rigs.

He requested a down payment and then made off with their money, Police Inspector Joseph Busuttil alleged.

The inspector added he had given the accused some time and he had paid off some of his debts, but did not give the whole balance back to his victims.

As Mr Micallef was granted bail, he gave a thumbs-up behind his back to his partner sitting in the public gallery.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €3,000.