A former Enemalta technician was yesterday jailed for two-and-a-half years and fined €10,000 for his involvement in the smart meter scam which rattled the corporation last year.

Richard Gauci, 48, from Rabat, appeared in court for the continuation of the compilation of evidence against him but instead insisted on pleading guilty to the charges brought against him.

Before Magistrate Carol Peralta, Mr Gauci pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to install the rigged meters, making an average €1,200 for each installation.

Magistrate Peralta warned him about the consequences of his decision to plead guilty but he insisted on the plea. He was, therefore, jailed for two-and-a-half years and fined €10,000.

He also had a freezing order issued on his property until the fine is paid. Moreover, Mr Gauci was placed under a general and perpetual interdiction.

He pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to install the rigged meters, making an average €1,200 for each installation

The guilty plea was filed as the court continued to hear evidence against three other men accused of tampering. They are Martin Cilia La Corte, Anthony Mifsud and Emanuel Camilleri.

Mr Gauci is the third Enemalta technician who pleaded guilty to his role in the scam which was uncovered last June when two meters were found to be under-registering consumption by up to 92 per cent.

On further investigation, Enemalta found that meters were being rigged and installed by technicians against a payment that averaged €1,200 per installation.

On Wednesday, the police arraigned three Enemalta maintenance employees, charged with tampering with electricity meters. They were charged with damaging electricity meters, threatening consumers, accepting bribes and abusing of their position.

Police inspectors Daniel and Roderick Zammit prosecuted while lawyer Joe Sammut appeared for Mr Gauci.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Angie Muscat and Marion Camilleri appeared parte civile for Enemalta.