The final submissions were made today in court in the case against Joe Borg, 75, who is charged with sending a defamatory e-mail to Rita Schembri in which he tried to blackmail Ms Schembri and her husband, Mark.

The issue revolves around the sub-letting to a Nigerian couple of a property belonging to Mr Borg. The Schembris had taken €54,000 in key-money from the Nigerians and all this was done behind his back, Mr Borg claimed.

Ms Schembri is being investigated at her own request for breach of a code of ethics when she allegedly used her government office to conduct private business.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino said that a number of people had access to the account to which the email was sent.

The email was clearly a threat as the accused told Ms Schembri she had better pay money to a third party or he would report her.

Insp. Pullicino said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Defamation was also proved since the email was seen by a third party.

Although it was great to have whistleblowers, threats were wrong. The accused even managed to make Ms Schembri believe that he was already in contact with OLAF. He noted, that when the accused was asked what he would have done had the money been paid, he had said that the matter would have stopped there.

Insp. Pullicino asked for the gravity of the case to be considered when meting out punishment.

Lawyer Edward Debono described Mr Borg as a whistleblower who believed that Ms Schembri had defrauded two people by taking money which she received from sub-letting a property.

In his email to Ms Schembri, the accused said that if this money was not returned he would report her. What did his client have to gain from this, he asked adding that he even tried to help the victims recoup their money.

It was Rita Schembri and not his client who should be in the dock, Dr Debono said.