Businessman arraigned over bounced cheques

The 35-year-old owner of a Bugibba bar has been granted bail on fraud charges after a number of cheques he issued, bounced.

Inspector Maurice Curmi arraigned Donald Micallef before magistrate Josette Demicoli this morning, accusing him of fraud, misappropriation and forgery.

The man had been arrested after two separate drink suppliers had informed the police that cheques of his had bounced. One supplier claimed a cheque of €6,500 had been dishonoured, another made a similar allegation over a cheque for €1,600.

Micallef, who was unassisted in court this morning, pleaded not guilty and requested bail. He asked that the court order a ban on the publication of his name in order to protect the livelihood of his employees. The latter request was turned down, but the court upheld the request for bail and granted the man temporary release from arrest, ordering him to provide a personal guarantee of €7,000 and sign a bail book twice a week.