Two officers of the Civil Protection Department were found not guilty of defrauding the department in Gozo between December 2008 and March 2009.

Adeodato Spiteri, a leading assistant rescue officer, had been charged with going to Australia on holiday but was still registered as having reported for work by his superior, Peter Mercieca. 

Magistrate Joe Mifsud ruled that a more intense police investigation would have averted the need for the two accused to suffer the stress of this court case.

Lawyers Joe Giglio and Charlon Gouder appeared for the accused.