Usury may occur upon the promise of higher interest rates The crime of usury take place even before the transaction, but upon the agreement that the repayment or reward would be higher than 8% 10 January 2021, 7:01am by Malcolm Mifsud The crime of usury take place even before the transaction, but upon the agreement that the repayment or reward would be higher than 8%. This was held in Il-Pulizija v Rosario Brincat, a judgement delivered by Madame Justice Edwina Grima on 6 January 2021. Brincat was accused of usury, causing fear of violence and being a recidivist. The Magistrates Court found him guilty of these charges and condemned him to 18 months’ imprisonment and €15,000 fine. Brincat appealed.