A 33-year-old man was conditionally discharged and ordered to pay back €980 after facing charges related to misappropriation of funds. The court heard how Malcolm Zammit from Santa Venera, a former secretary of a St Venera fireworks club, misappropriated funds which were allocated to the printing of a festivity programme.  

Mr Zammit allegedly carried out this crime while serving as secretary for the 26 of July Fireworks Club in 2014. A complaint was filed to the police back in August 2015.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli, who presided the case, heard how in running up to the feast for July 2014, Mr Zammit was entrusted with some €700 to do the printing. The exchange of money took place in front of two club members and the cash was sealed in an envelope.

A year later, the new secretary of the club went to collect the festivities programme from the printing shop and it was then that he realised that the club had a pending payment of €980. The secretary had told the printing house he had given the money to Mr Zammit.

When club executive members confronted the accused, Mr Zammit said he had never received the money. Later, he said he would be willing to fork out half of the money.

It later appeared that Mr Zammit had agreed with the printing house to pay the sum due in €150 instalments.

Magistrate Demicoli noted that the matter could have been handed in a more professional way while understanding that most of the deals done in such clubs are based on mutual trust. She also noted that the club members had tried to resolve the issue but Mr Zammit did not turn up to the meetings.

Noting that the accused was going through some though financial situations, the court decided to conditionally discharge the offender. Inspector Elliott Magro led the prosecution.