Drunk driver ordered to pay for damaging holding cell

A man from Senglea who trashed his holding cell after being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving has had his licence suspended, as well as being handed a suspended sentence and a fine.

Nazzareno Abela, 32, was charged with insulting and threatening two police officers who had stopped him for driving erratically at St. George's Bay, as well as with dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, obstructing the police, breaching the peace and damaging a sink at the police lockup in Floriana.

He had been arrested last night at around 9pm near St. George's Bay in St. Julian’s after police noticed his car swerving dangerously.

The accused, who sat in the dock wearing a sports jacket, orange jeans and marijuana-plant patterned slippers and a pained expression, did not say a word after confirming his details to the court registrar.

Lawyer Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, defending Abela, told magistrate Doreen Clarke that his client was pleading guilty. The accused had apologised to the police and had already offered to pay the costs of the damages that he had caused to the lockup amounting to €465, added prosecuting Inspector Nikolai Sant.

Mifsud Bonnici told the court the accused needed some time to come up with the funds.

In view of his admission the court sentenced Abela to a year in prison, suspended for two years. An €800 fine was also imposed, on top of which the man was ordered to pay €465 for the damages he caused to the cell, to the commissioner of police within three months. 

His driving licence was suspended for 6 months.