A 37-year-old man who failed to install a lift despite having been paid to do so has been handed a suspended sentence.

Charles Abela was also charged with fraud but was acquitted of this charge.

The case dates to April 2012, when a report was filed against Mr Abela over an €8,000 deposit to install a lift in a Mellieha flat. The global price of the lift was €20,000, and 40 per cent of the sum was requested as a deposit.

The contract between Elevators DC Company Limited and the injured party stated that the lift was to be delivered approximately four months from the signing of the contract, "excluding August and December". The deposit was paid in November 2011. However, the injured party claimed that when the time came for the lift to be installed, the accused did not keep his word, despite assuring the plaintiff that he would do so.

The accused insisted that the lift shaft was not yet complete, but this claim was rebutted by the plaintiff. The plaintiff’s brother also testified that the accused had even given them a cheque of €3,000 back, which, however, had bounced.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli found the accused guilty of misappropriation and was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment suspended for three years. He was also ordered to pay back the €8,000 within six months.

Police Inspector Jonathan Ferris prosecuted.