Driver who crashed into MP's vehicle denied bail

Magistrate Josette Demicoli has denied bail to 46-year-old James Malcolm Towers, the man charged with driving into the car of two MPs earlier on Wednesday, 25 June.

Towers, a British resident in Malta for the past 19 years, was denied bail after a prosecuting officer argued that the accused had no ties with Malta.

He was charged by Inspector Jason Sultana of driving without a licence and insurance, dangerous driving, exceeding the speed limit, failing to stop and fleeing the scene of a crime, using invalid licence plates and causing more than €1,164 in damages to another vehicle car.

Towers was involved in a hit-and-run when his car crashed into a stationary vehicle that was carrying Nationalist MPs Frederick Azzopardi and deputy Speaker Censu Galea. Towers fled the scene but was apprehended by police officers some 12 hours later.

Turning up at court an hour late and earning a caution from Magistrate Josette Demicoli, legal aid lawyer Anthony Stellini told the court that his client was pleading not guilty.

Appearing as parte civile, lawyer Jason Azzopardi told the court: “The MPs are not after their pound of flesh and have not insisted on the charge of slight injuries to be raised against Towers. However seeing as he has not admitted to his crimes, we might press for the inclusion of the charge in the next sitting.”

When Stellini requested bail, prosecuting inspector Jason Sultana argued that fleeing the crime scene maked the accused an unreliable person. “Furthermore, he has no ties to Malta,” he said. Azzopardi also objected to bail being granted, saying the accused had no financial means to submit a personal guarantee.

The defence argued that Towers has been living in Malta for the past 19 years, has a full-time job and a clean police record. However Magistrate Demicoli denied the request.

Towers was remanded in custody.