Five months' jail for simulating hold-up

A man has been jailed for five months for simulating a hold-up as a means for the misappropriation of over Lm1,000 and involving his 15-year-old son in the crime.

The teenager was conditionally discharged for two years for his participation in the hold-up.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti heard the man and his son plead guilty to simulating the hold-up and fabricating evidence on August 13, 2003.

The name of the man is not being published to protect his minor son's identity.

The magistrate heard how the man worked for an agent of Simonds Farsons Cisk and was authorised to collect payments on behalf of his employers.

On the day of incident he was to collect Lm1,318 in cash and a cheque for Lm433 from the agent's clients but he simulated the hold-up with his son's help.

In light of evidence the man was also found guilty of the misappropriation of the money to the detriment of Reno Micallef and Simonds Farsons Cisk. On handing down judgment Magistrate Grixti noted that the teenager had pleaded guilty to all charges, had a clean criminal record and was still a minor.

As for the man, the magistrate noted the serious nature of the crime and that he involved his 15-year-old son in order to carry it out.

Police Inspectors Silvio Valletta and Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.