An official from Arriva yesterday admitted it owed €3,300 to a bus driver who pocketed €10,000 from the sale of tickets and said the bus company was only seeking to recover the difference.

Carl Grima, 31 of Birkirkara, admitted to taking the money over the last few months.

Police Inspector Jonathan Ferris said Mr Grima had told the police he had started to take the money because of the amount he was owed in salaries and bonuses.

The money had not been paid to him owing to problems related to his registration with the Employment and Training Corporation, the inspector said.

Taking the witness stand, Arriva official Carmen Galea confirmed that the accused was owed €3,300 and said the company only wanted to be repaid the difference.

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

Judgment is expected to be handed down in the coming days.