A man was fined Lm300 and lost his personal guarantee of Lm1,000 yesterday, after he pleaded guilty to breaching one of the bail conditions imposed by a Magistrates’ Court last Friday, when he pleaded not guilty to deceiving two men by claiming he was a SmartCity project manager.

Martin Camilleri, 53, from Msida, first pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, but then decided to file a guilty plea when Magistrate Doreen Clarke was about to hand down her decision.

He admitted that he had contacted and threatened Lawrence Sammut – the main witness who will be testifying in his (the accused’s) case.

Police Inspector Angelo Gafà told the court that the accused had been arrested at Malta International Airport and it was evident that he intended to go abroad. However, he had checked in, but had not proceeded to board the plane. He said Camilleri’s lawyer had advised him not to leave the country.

Camilleri is being held in preventive custody.

Police inspector Angelo Gafà prosecuted and Dr Malcolm Mifsud appeared for the accused.