Orphanides case back in court

Larnaca district court on Thursday heard arguments for mitigating the sentence on businessman Christos Oprhanides, who back in May was found guilty on four counts of bouncing cheques worth €400,000 to an advertising company.

The court set September 26 for sentencing.

Orphanides’ lawyer presented several arguments for mitigation, including the fact that since the verdict, his client has repaid the advertisers.

He cited Orphanides’ health problems, and argued that jailing his client would complicate his efforts to reach a settlement with his other creditors.

The lawyer asked for a suspended jail sentence.

The director of the now-defunct Orphanides Supermarkets chain is being hounded by several creditors.

In October 2015 Orphanides and his wife were found guilty of bouncing cheques worth some €20,000 to one of their supermarket suppliers – the first time the businessman had been held accountable for his company’s bad debts.

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