Between €1,200 and €5,200 were paid to Enemalta employees and middlemen for tampered metres, the Court heard.

The Court was hearing a compilation of evidence against three men accused of tampering.

One of the men, Martin Cilia La Corte, was identified by around six people as a go-between for clients and smart metre installers.

Witnesses testified they originally complained about the high bills registered by their metres and were later approached by Mr La Corte with a solution in hand.

The witnesses argued that following their meeting with La Corte, Enemalta employees would go to their home and change the meter.

Johan Tanti, one of the witnesses, argued that he was approached at his pastizzeria by the accused. He said he was interested in changing the metre and paid €5,200 for it.

Christopher Zammit, another witness, testifying against Victor Sciberras  (an Enemalta employee), argued that he approached Mr Sciberras and indicated he was interested in changing his smart meter for lower bills. Two persons then went to his house and installed a tampered meter for a price.

Testifying against Emanuel Micallef (another of the accused), a woman from Qormi said that she met Mr Micallef by chance. The accused had offered her a solution after overhearing the woman complain, the Court heard. She paid the accused €1,200 and the meter was later installed.

A further two people testified against Mr Micallef arguing that Enemalta employees had passed his name on to them.

In testimony against Anthony Mifsud (another go-between), two men said that they paid up to  €1,500 for their tampered meter.