An Arriva driver admitted in court today that he did not hand the company the money which passengers paid for their tickets.

The court heard how Carl Grima, 31 of Birkirkara, issued tickets to his passengers but did not remit the takings - nearly €10,000 - to the company.

Police Inspector Jonathan Ferris said the accused had told the police that he had started to pocket the takings because he was owed €3,300 by Arriva in salaries and bonus. The money had not been paid to him because of problems related to his registration with the Employment Training Corporation,

He also told the police he had spent the money to pay a loan on his car and for home improvements.

Arriva finance department official Carmen Galea confirmed that the accused was owed €3,300 and said the company was only seeking to recover the difference.

The accused declared he was prepared to repay Arriva within six months.

Sentence will be delivered in the coming days.