Jean Claude Micallef

Television presenter and aspiring MEP candidate Jean Claude Micallef should not have been charged with fraud and misappropriation in the criminal court as the matter was an issue for the civil court, a magistrate said this morning.

The court heard how Mr Micallef had entered into a business relationship with Mark Anthony Portelli in July and September 2010 and Mr Micallef had handed Mr Portelli three cheques one of which was cashed for the amount of €3,000.

The other two cheques could not be honoured by Mr Micallef and were stopped by him after a disagreement over the contract.

A civil case had been filed by Mr Portelli who claimed that Mr Micallef had not honoured his part of the contract.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia said that this was purely a civil matter and there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Micallef had defrauded or misappropriated money.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Roberto Montalto and Marion Camilleri appeared for Mr Micallef.