A man from Pieta has avoided an effective prison sentence after admitting to a series of fraud offences that targeted five victims, including the company eCabs Operators Company Ltd.

Mark Mallia was handed a four years' imprisonment sentence, suspended for four years after he was found guilty by his own admission.

The offences were committed between 2 February 2022 and 1 March 2023 in various localities.

The prosecution accused Mallia of operating a fraudulent scheme by making use of false names and false identities, falsely representing the existence of legitimate businesses or commercial transactions and deceiving victims into handing over money.

He was also accused of making unlawful use of an electronic communications network or apparatus in connection with the fraudulent scheme.

The court heard that the fraud caused financial losses exceeding €5,000, bringing the offences within the more serious provisions of the Criminal Code.

At a sitting held on 25 June 2026, Mallia informed the court that he wished to register an admission to all the principal charges brought against him.

The court confirmed the admission only after ensuring it had been made voluntarily, unconditionally and with full knowledge of its legal consequences.

Following the admission, the court found him guilty on the principal charges while acquitting him of the alternative counts.

Before deciding sentence, the court considered Mallia had fully compensated every victim before sentencing.

Documentation filed in court showed the compensation had been fully paid and both the prosecution and the victims confirmed they had been fully reimbursed.

The court also took into account his early admission of guilt; his cooperation with investigators and his criminal record, which the court described as practically clean.

Court refuses minimum sentence reduction

The defence argued the court should reduce the punishment below the statutory minimum because the victims had been compensated.

However, Magistrate Thake held that repayment of the victims, while an important mitigating factor, did not amount to the exceptional circumstances required by law to justify imposing a sentence below the statutory minimum.

The court also observed that the accused's actions in compensating the victims reflected positively on his rehabilitation.

The court acquitted Mallia on some charges which had been brought as alternative counts but found him guilty on the remaining charges.

He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, suspended for four years.

Inspector Keith Xerri prosecuted. Defence lawyers Jose Herrera and Martina Herrera appeared for Mallia. The judgement was delivered by Magistrate Ann-Marie Thake.