A man was cleared of taking part in a hold-up nine years ago after a magistrate found there was nothing to link him to the crime.

Clayton Cremona, 29, from Mosta, was charged with committing the hold-up at St Rita Service Station, in Naxxar, in August 2005.

Pump attendant Max Wayne Camilleri had been approached by a man wearing a stocking over his head and holding a shotgun who threatened to shoot if he did not hand over cash.

Mr Camilleri was questioned by the police about a month later and said it was the accused who had committed the crime because Mr Cremona had told him he would do it.

He also said he was threatened by the accused that something would happen to his family if he were to open his mouth about the hold-up. Furthermore, the attendant said he was given €80 from the €1,400 stolen to remain mum.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera said it was suspicious how Mr Camilleri only spoke up a month after the hold-up and only when questioned by the police over his possible involvement.

She noted that Mr Camilleri, by his own admission, had a drug problem and she believed that he was trying to shift the blame on to someone else to avoid his involvement being brought to light.

Furthermore, the court was faced with a situation where there was no evidence tying the accused to the crime. Mr Camilleri’s dubious allegations, the consistent version of the accused and his outright denial led the court to believe he had not committed the crime.