Wife pleads with court for clemency over VAT fine

The wife of an invalid vegetable vendor has pleaded with a court to pardon her husband from paying €500 in fines over and above a €1,000 VAT bill.

Concetta Gauci pleaded with Magistrate Doreen Clarke for clemency as her crippled husband listened helplessly.

"We don't even have money to eat," the woman said, adding that since her husband had to stop working due to illness, they survive on welfare benefits.

Lawyer Gavin Gulia informed the court that his clients were on the brink of having to face daily interest that would hike the money owed to the VAT department, and ultimately be converted into a prison sentence.

The fines were imposed on the couple after they failed to turn up for two previous sittings, and were summoned for failing to submit VAT returns.