Mintoff ‘chronicler’ and fraudster gets extended suspended jail term

Magistrate Carol Peralta this morning doubled a prison term handed to Josef Grech, however effectively suspended the imprisonment for two years after hearing the 32-year-old was trying to change his ways.

Prosecuting officer Sandra Zammit, explained how on 15 December 2010, the accused - who styles himself as a biographer of former prime minister Dom Mintoff - had purchased items from Homemate in Mriehel. On two separate occasion, but on the same day, Grech had paid for his purchases using two cheques, one for €221.12 and another for €1,344.64. However the cheques could not be cashed.

Grech was also charged with committing an offence during the term of a suspended sentence and relapsing.

Dr Mark Mifsud Cutajar, appearing for the accused held Grech is trying to turn back from his life of crime and change his ways. Since the incident, the accused had paid HomeMate for the purchases he had made in 2010.

Magistrate Carol Peralta found Joseph Grech guilty of all charges and extended the eight-month suspended jail term to 16 months suspended for two years from today.