A vengeful man, angry at being investigated by the police, yesterday admitted to filing false claims against a police inspector and sending them to the President and the Ombudsman.

Joseph Fenech, 53, of Żabbar, had been investigated by Police Inspector Stephen Mallia for allegedly tampering with a vehicle’s chassis number and failing to pay VAT on imported goods. He has a pending case in this regard.

During the course of the investigation, Mr Fenech wrote a letter claiming the inspector’s unit, which deals with stolen cars, was using his confiscated van for personal use.

Mr Fenech also claimed someone who wanted to cause him harm, whom he could not identify, had contacted the inspector and persuaded him to investigate him. In return, this person had paid a woman to sleep with the officer.

During yesterday’s sitting, Mr Fenech admitted to making up both allegations, filing false reports and harassing the officer.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona handed down a one-year jail term suspended for two years.

Mr Fenech publicly apologised to the officer for any harm he had caused him. Lawyer Martin Fenech appeared for the Mr Fenech.

Lawyers Emmanuel Mallia and Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the officer.