Witness says alleged loan shark gave him cash without interest
'He helped me through a difficult period'
A witness described in court on Tuesday how a man now accused of usury had helped him through a difficult patch by lending him €500 without charging interest.
The witness, who cannot be identified by court order, testified during the compilation of evidence against six members of the Pace family, who are facing charges including money laundering and usury. They are Carlos Pace, 24, his half-brother Cleaven Pace, 20, their father Keith Pace, his partner Maria Grixti, 49, and grandparents Lawrence and Emanuela Pace, 73, all from Marsa.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Keith Pace, Carlos Pace and Maria Grixti are charged with usury, while Keith, Carlos and Cleaven Pace also face charges of breaching bail conditions.
The court has ordered a ban on the publication of the names of the alleged victims.
As he entered the courtroom the witness was asked whether he recognised anyone present. The witness pointed to Keith Pace and replied: "My friend Keith."
He said the two had been childhood friends in Marsa.
"He is my friend who always showed me respect," the witness said. He recalled that, some time ago, police had questioned him about a car he had bought which was registered in his brother's name. He insisted that the vehicle belonged to him but had been registered under his brother's name because he had issues relating to traffic citations.
"At the time I was going through a difficult period and had a drug problem. I needed €500 and, after several people turned me down, I went to Keith and he simply gave me the money," he testified.
The witness said he wanted to leave his car with Keith as security for the loan. Keith refused but the witness insisted, throwing him the keys. The vehicle, however, was never transferred into Keith Pace's name.
A week later, the witness repaid the €500 in full, with no interest or additional charges.
He said Keith then told him to take the car back. However, the witness's brother had already filed a police report because he believed the witness was selling off his possessions – to sustain his drug problem - and feared he was about to sell the vehicle as well.
Prosecuting are AG lawyers Neville Galea and Michael Muscat, assisted by Police Inspector Lianne Bonello. Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Andreana Zammit are appearing for the defendants.