Nine face illegal betting charges

Nine men were yesterday charged with taking part in illegal betting and gambling at a bar in Qawra. The accused are Emanuel Sant, 50, of St Paul's Bay; Alfred Burlò, 43, of Birkirkara; Carmel Baldacchino, 55, of Qormi; Joseph Sciberras, 43, of...

Nine men were yesterday charged with taking part in illegal betting and gambling at a bar in Qawra.

The accused are Emanuel Sant, 50, of St Paul's Bay; Alfred Burlò, 43, of Birkirkara; Carmel Baldacchino, 55, of Qormi; Joseph Sciberras, 43, of Birkirkara; Robert William Grech, 36, of Senglea; Mario Calleja, 49, of Mosta; Carmel Vella, 39, of Birkirkara; Andrea Fenech, 68, of Mosta and Jesmond Zammit of Hamrun.

Grech and Calleja were also charged with relapsing.

The prosecution claims that the accused were betting on horse races being held in the UK, which they were watching live on television screens at the Knights Bar on March 24.

Those running the Knights Bar, Leo Govè, Anthony Govè and Eric Baldacchino, are facing separate charges in connection with the same case and with running the bar without a licence and organising betting and gambling without the authority of the Gaming Board.

Police Superintendent Alexandra Farrugia Mamo and Inspector Helga Debono prosecuted.

Dr Joe Giglio, Dr Roberto Montalto, Dr Noel Camilleri and Dr Chris Cardona appeared for the accused.

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