A judge has ordered a man to refund €345,216 which he misappropriated from his former employer, after hearing how he used the company’s money to buy cars and lead a “good life”.

The court found Vince Etienne Vella, 33, from San Ġwann, had misappropriated the funds from Fenplay Ltd, formerly CBM Bookmaker International Ltd, during his employment between August 2007 and August 2009.

Mr Vella was responsible for its bank accounts and payments to clients, suppliers and creditors.

Just three months after he joined, he began transferring the company’s funds to various people, including his father, and used the money to purchase – among other things – cars, motorcycles and spare parts.

In his police statement, Mr Vella said: “I bought various vehicles and spare parts and I had a good life.”

According to Police Inspector Ivan Cilia, Mr Vella said he had financial difficulties so decided to use company funds, with the intention of immediately replacing them. When no one realised, he continued siphoning off money. 

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