Community work, probation for altering speedboat papers

The courts have ordered a man who made unauthorised alterations to a customs document, to enable the sale of a speedboat while he was subject to a freezing order, has been placed on probation for a year and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community work. 

20-year-old Peter Lee Sammut admitted to having falsified the documents in order to sell the speedboat to a Libyan man, who had offered him €18,000 for it. Sammut pleaded guilty to all charges, including falsifying official documents and swearing a false oath before a notary. 

Sammut told the court that he was aware that he was subject to a freezing order and could not sell the boat. Rather than miss out on the opportunity to close the sale, he chose to change the ownership documents.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja sentenced him to a year’s probation, additionally ordering him to perform 100 hours of community work. 

Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Amadeus Cachia represented Sammut. Police Inspector Rennie Stivala led the prosecution.