Restauranteur accused of presenting false document in court

The owner of a restaurant has been charged with attempting to submit as evidence a fake official document in a separate court case against him.

Matthew Dimech, 32, from Msida was arraigned under arrest this morning, accused of presenting a falsified document in a court case about external seating arrangements at his restaurant.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud told the court how, earlier this month, a lawsuit had been filed against the self-employed accused over chairs and tables that he had set up outside his restaurant in Vittoriosa.

In the course of those proceedings, Dimech had allegedly submitted a document that falsely purported to have been issued by a public authority.

Before magistrate Gabriella Vella this morning, Dimech was charged with perjury and falsifying a public document in those proceedings, as well as with having made use of a falsified official document in the months before.

Dimech pleaded not guilty to the charges. Defence lawyers Michael Sciriha and Franco Galea made a request for bail, arguing that the police had investigated the case at length and gathered a considerable amount of statements, which would mean that there was no risk of the accused tampering with evidence.

Superintendent Geoffrey Azzopardi informed the court that investigations into another suspect are still underway. If the court was to grant the man bail, it should order him not to approach any employees of the Vittoriosa Local Council.

The court upheld Azzopardi's request and granted the man bail against a deposit of €200 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.