A man apologised to a police inspector in court today after admitting that he tried to frame him.

Joseph Fenech, 53 of Zabbar, admitted that in August 2009 he had filed a false report against Police Inspector Stephen Mallia. He also admitted having harassed and threatened the inspector.

The court was told that the inspector had been investigating Mr Fenech for alleged VAT offences, tax evasion and tampering with vehicle chassis numbers.

Mr Fenech had written to the President, the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman, the Minister of Justice and the Police Board claiming that someone who wanted to cause him harm had paid a woman to sleep with the inspector as appreciation for the investigations.

Mr Fenech also claimed that a van belonging to him which was seized by the police was being used by the inspector's squad.

This morning after his admission to filing false reports and his public apology to the inspector, Mr Fenech was condemned to a one year jail term suspended for two years.