Woman's two-year prison sentence changed to probation

A woman who had originally been handed an effective prison sentence in connection with fraud-related offences avoided imprisonment after her lawyers challenged the original judgment before the court.

Natasha Bugeja had initially been sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment in October 2024 in proceedings connected to fraud, falsification of documents and declarations linked to Melita contracts, and traffic penalty points transfers. The charges had also been brought against another woman who had originally been handed a suspended sentence and therefore did not appeal the judgment.

However, defence lawyers Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit appealed the judgment against Natasha Bugeja, arguing that the sentence suffered from serious procedural and legal defects.

Among the arguments raised by the defence was that the original judgment was null, particularly because the court had wrongly treated Bugeja as having breached her bail conditions despite effectively concluding that she should not be found guilty of that charge. The defence further argued that the judgment contained procedural shortcomings and failed to properly explain parts of the decision. 

The Court of Criminal Appeal accepted these arguments, declared the original judgment null and referred the acts back to the Court of Magistrates to be heard again before a differently presided court.

During the rehearing of the case, the court examined allegations that between September and November 2020 the accused had been involved in fraudulent schemes relating to Melita mobile contracts, falsified documents and false declarations intended to obtain benefits unlawfully.

The prosecution presented evidence from police inspectors, Transport Malta officials, Melita representatives and car rental company employees. Testimony focused on disputed mobile contracts, transfer of driving licence penalty points and allegedly falsified documentation.

However, the court also noted weaknesses in parts of the prosecution’s evidence and stated that several accusations had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt. The court particularly examined issues concerning the credibility of witnesses, inconsistencies in the evidence and uncertainty surrounding who had actually signed or submitted certain documents.

In its final judgment, the court found Bugeja guilty on some charges while acquitting her of others due to insufficient proof.

Although the accused had originally faced effective imprisonment, the court ultimately imposed a suspended prison sentence for a period of one year instead of immediate imprisonment. 

The prosecution was led by Inspector Antonello Magri, while the accused was assisted by defence lawyers Franco Debono, Adreana Zammit and Mathew Xuerb.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided over the case.