Three arraigned for electricity theft

Magistrate Marseanne Farrugia has today denied bail to two of three men arraigned on charges of tampering with electricity meters.

Police Inspectors Daniel Zammit and Roderick Zammit arraigned Marvin Cucciardi, Abraham Muscat and Lewis Sant on charges of damaging electricity meters, threatening a third party, accepting bribes and unlawful exaction by virtue of their position.

Sant denied all charges while Muscat exercised his right to silence.

Muscat and Sant were remanded in custody due to fears of tampering with evidence and allegations of threatening a prosecution witness.

The court was told, however, that Cucciardi had cooperated with the investigation and there was no risk of interfering with witnesses as all his evidence had already been documented. In his statement, he admitted everything

Cucciardi was granted bail against a deposit of €2000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. His assets were also placed under a freezing order.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi defended Cucciardi, Lawyers Angie Muscat and Marion Camilleri appeared in parte civile. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Scriha appeared for Muscat. Lawyers Carlos Bugeja and Keith Borg represented Sant.