Man accused of forcing disabled man to hand over social benefits
When he did not comply, Robert Spiteri allegedly hit him with a crutch
A man has been charged with extortion after abusing another man with intellectual disabilities and forcing him to hand over his social security cheques over the past eight months.
Robert Spiteri, 56, from Żabbar, pleaded not guilty to extortion, fraud, and abusing a vulnerable person.
Magistrate Lara Lanfranco heard how police had learnt, during investigations, that Spiteri had told the victim he would stop his benefits if he did not hand over the cheques.
Spiteri also hit the victim with his crutch when he did not pay.
He took the cheques the victim received every three weeks, with some amounting to €130 and others €500.
Police Inspectors Lydon Zammit and Keith Rizzo prosecuted.
Lawyers Jose Herrera and Martina Herrera appeared for the accused.