Police have charged the second of a three-man gang believed to have used a dead man’s chequebook for a spending spree from shops they chose from the Yellow Pages.

Car dealer Glen Borg, 37, from Tarxien, appeared before Magistrate Carol Peralta yesterday charged with using forged cheques to buy thousands of euros worth of goods, including cigarettes and alcohol, equipment and tools.

The gang allegedly defrauded firms after obtaining a chequebook belonging to Saviour Grima, who died three years ago. They ordered products in bulk for ship chandling firm Salvu Grima & Sons, Police Inspector Jonathan Ferris said.

Unemployed Keith Camilleri, 31, of Qormi, who has a history with the police, was charged in November with15 counts of fraud, falsification and relapsing.

Mr Ferris said further investigations led to Mr Borg, who allegedly used cheques to purchase close to €10,000 worth of cigarettes, electricity generators, alcohol and tools.

He was also accused of forging a dead man’s signature and of committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended sentence.

Objecting to bail, the prosecuting officer said Mr Borg was taken ill during interrogations and when admitted to Mater Dei Hospital was told he had the beginning of heart failure. However, he discharged himself and spent two days at home.

Mr Ferris said police would soon charge the person they believe to be the operation’s mastermind.

Mr Borg was remanded in custody. Police Inspector Carol Fabri also prosecuted. Lawyer Edward Gatt was defence counsel.