Man who defrauded eCabs and four others avoids jail<\/p>\n
A man from Pieta has avoided an effective prison sentence after admitting to a series of fraud offences that targeted five victims, including the company eCabs Operators Company Ltd.<\/p>\n
Mark Mallia was handed a four years’ imprisonment sentence, suspended for four years after he was found guilty by his own admission.<\/p>\n
The offences were committed between 2 February 2022 and 1 March 2023 in various localities.<\/p>\n
The prosecution accused Mallia of operating a fraudulent scheme by making use of false names and false identities, falsely representing the existence of legitimate businesses or commercial transactions and deceiving victims into handing over money.<\/p>\n
He was also accused of making unlawful use of an electronic communications network or apparatus in connection with the fraudulent scheme.<\/p>\n
The court heard that the fraud caused financial losses exceeding €5,000, bringing the offences within the more serious provisions of the Criminal Code.<\/p>\n
At a sitting held on 25 June 2026, Mallia informed the court that he wished to register an admission to all the principal charges brought against him.<\/p>\n
The court confirmed the admission only after ensuring it had been made voluntarily, unconditionally and with full knowledge of its legal consequences.<\/p>\n
Following the admission, the court found him guilty on the principal charges while acquitting him of the alternative counts.<\/p>\n
Before deciding sentence, the court considered Mallia had fully compensated every victim before sentencing.<\/p>\n
Documentation filed in court showed the compensation had been fully paid and both the prosecution and the victims confirmed they had been fully reimbursed.<\/p>\n
The court also took into account his early admission of guilt; his cooperation with investigators and his criminal record, which the court described as practically clean.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Court refuses minimum sentence reduction<\/b><\/p>\n
The defence argued the court should reduce the punishment below the statutory minimum because the victims had been compensated.<\/p>\n
However, Magistrate Thake held that repayment of the victims, while an important mitigating factor, did not amount to the exceptional circumstances required by law to justify imposing a sentence below the statutory minimum.<\/p>\n
The court also observed that the accused’s actions in compensating the victims reflected positively on his rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
The court acquitted Mallia on some charges which had been brought as alternative counts but found him guilty on the remaining charges.<\/p>\n
He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, suspended for four years.<\/p>\n
Inspector Keith Xerri prosecuted. Defence lawyers Jose Herrera and Martina Herrera appeared for Mallia. The judgement was delivered by Magistrate Ann-Marie Thake.<\/p>\n