Mary Vella, 47, Jennifer Vella, 21, John Vella, 20 and another son, whose name cannot be mentioned since he is still a minor, all from Qormi, were charged with circulating counterfeit notes on and before 17 November. They were also charged with defrauding several petrol stations of more than Lm100 but less than Lm1,000, as well as with stealing diesel and petrol.

The court, presided over by magistrate Dennis Montebello, heard the accused plead not guilty to the charges brought against them. Mrs Vella, her daughter and her 20-year-old son were granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm1,000 while the underage boy was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm100.

Police inspector Ian Joseph Abdilla prosecuted.