Gas theft lands distributor in hot water

Two gas distributors were granted bail after the court upheld their plea to be able to return to work.

Fernando Cremona, 34 of Zejtun and Raymond Sarcia, 51, of Qormi were charged with the theft of gas cylinders and misappropriation of gas at the expense of Gasco Energy Ltd. The gas distributors were also charged with fraud and falsification of documents.

Accompanied with their spouses, the two gas distributors told the court that they were ready to observe the conditions set in their bail as long as they were allowed to return to work. The prosecution objected to the accused being granted bail as they could approach the witnesses but defence lawyer Joe Giglio argued that Roderick Camilleri, the main witness in this case, no longer worked at Gasco Energy Ltd.

In separate proceedings Camilleri was found guilty of the same charges as the accused and sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for four years. He also lost his job as an employee of Gasco Energy Ltd.

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona granted bail to the accused against a deposit of €1000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000.

Inspector Arthur Mercieca from the Criminal Investigation Department led the investigations assisted by Inspector Carol Fabri.