Court orders freeze on George Tabone, Gram Jewellers financial assets

In a judgement handed this morning by Mr. Justice Lawrence Quintano, the Criminal Court upheld an urgent appeal filed by the Attorney General to issue a freeze on George Tabone, 49 of Valletta, who owns two companies that deal in jewellery and cash for gold outlets.

The freeze, was ordered on Gram Collections Limited, Gram Jewellers Limited and Gram Holdings Limited.

Mr. Justice Quintano also ordered the lifting of a ban on the publication of Tabone's name in relation to charges of buying almost €350,000 in stolen gold and jewellery, which were part of a €500,000 heist from Piazza Antiques shop in South Street, Valletta in 2011.

Police charged Tabone last week before Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, and presented the testimony of one of the people who admitted to the theft and is serving jail time.

The Magistrate had ordered a ban on the publication of Tabone's name and shops involved.

Glen Debattista, admitted to having been one of three people who broke into Piazza Antinuqes shop, stole the items and split the haul.

Debattista had also said that he had gone to see Tabone with the stolen goods at his Birkirkara shop, who allegedly used to switch off the CCTV cameras in a bid to delete the evidence of him ever being there.

Tabone had been arrested and interrogated a number of times in relation to the case, but always denied any involvement. The stolen items were never recovered.

Debattista told Police and the Court that he was paid €25,000 for €350,000 worth of stolen gold and jewellery.

In a statement, jeweller George Tabone said the procedure "does not means Gram Collection or I have been found guilty of some charge. I am innocent before proven otherwise."

Tabone added that he would take any legal steps to quash "false, unfounded and misleading" allegations made in his regard. "No stolen jewellery or gold was ever found in my establishment."