A man and his niece were yesterday charged with fraud and knowingly making use of forged cheques.

Alexander Cross, 52, from Naxxar and Alexia Cross, 27, from St Paul’s Bay were charged with defrauding HSBC bank out of Lm1,800 on 7 October 2006.

They were also accused of forging cheques and knowingly making use of them during the period between 1 and 7 October last year. The pair were also charged with stealing three individual cheques.

Police inspector Angelo Gafa prosecuted while Dr Roberto Montalto and Dr Raphael Fenech Adami appeared for the accused.