Keith Pace, 45, and his son Carlos, 23, both from Marsa, have been granted bail after being accused of extortion, intimidation, harassment, and misuse of electronic equipment against a jeweller in Qormi.
Carlos also faces separate charges over his alleged role in the February drug heist at the AFM's Safi barracks, while Keith is additionally charged with insulting journalists, threatening police inspector John Sammut, breaching a suspended sentence, and breaking earlier bail conditions.
The jeweller testified that the Paces entered his shop, with Keith claiming his son's stolen gold had been bought there. Keith allegedly demanded its return, showing photos of rings, a bracelet, and a chain. Though insisting he had never bought stolen gold, the jeweller admitted handing over two gold chains under pressure. Keith allegedly threatened to collect jewellery monthly and reminded the victim they knew where he lived.
Fearing for his safety, the jeweller reported the incident to police. Days later, Keith allegedly phoned him, saying: "We're coming for the gold." Police intervened, escorting the jeweller to the station while Inspector Sammut remained with his wife. Soon after, another man entered the shop asking for "Carlos's bracelet," before leaving and joining Keith and Carlos outside.
The jeweller maintained he never admitted to handling stolen gold. He recognised some rings he had crafted for Carlos but stressed that chains shown in photos could have been bought elsewhere. His wife confirmed the threats left them both living in fear.
Inspector Sammut also testified, recalling that Keith threatened and insulted him at the police station, vowing to make his life "miserable." Under cross-examination, Sammut acknowledged that the accused had themselves filed a police report claiming gold had been stolen from Carlos's girlfriend, but were told by a sergeant that no action could be taken without revealing the source.
During the bail hearing, Inspector Roderick Attard said he did not oppose bail for Carlos, noting his cooperation with police, but objected to Keith's release. Defence lawyer Franco Debono argued the accused were also victims of theft and their actions needed context.
Magistrate Rachel Montebello ultimately granted bail to both men. Carlos was released on a €3,000 deposit and €5,000 personal guarantee, while Keith's bail was set at a €5,000 deposit and €6,000 guarantee.
Inspectors Attard and Sammut prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused, while lawyer Vince Micallef represented the jeweller.