A Identity Malta official currently facing criminal proceedings withdrew €41,000 from his bank account, in spite of a court order freezing his assets.

Mosta resident Joseph Calleja, 60, was arraigned on July 7 over fraud and misappropriation misappropriation of company funds to the tune of some €20,000, and was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. A freezing order on all his property was also issued.

However, upon his release from custody, the man had withdrawn €20,000 from his bank account, effecting a second withdrawal of a further €21,000 within the space of a few days.

The police had taken criminal steps against the culprit after being duly alerted about the withdrawals by the bank.

“A freezing order was to be respected even if it was precautionary,” the court observed, pointing out that it would be useless to issue such an order if the accused could withdraw all his money pending the termination of proceedings.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, observed that when the court order was delivered both the accused and his defence counsel had been present in the courtroom. There was no doubt that the accused knew of the order which precluded him from withdrawing money from the bank.

Such a breach of court orders was an offence liable to a maximum jail term of 12 months and a fine of up to €11,646.

While declaring the man guilty, the court sentenced him to an effective 6-month jail term and a fine of €1,000.

The court ordered that the withdrawn funds were to be deposited in court pending the final outcome of criminal proceedings against the accused.

However, the court exercised its discretion and declared that the man’s bail deposit and guarantee, amounting to €11,000 were not to be confiscated by the state.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee prosecuted.