Man accused of deliberate crash temporarily banned from driving

A man from Zebbug has been indefinitely prohibited from driving after he was arraigned in court, accused of deliberately crashing into his estranged partner's car.

Magistrate Monica Vella was told how the accused had been upset by his former partner who had been withholding access to his child whilst demanding he pay child support. The 27-year-old supermarket employee was accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to his partner and her new boyfriend after he allegedly followed the woman to Cospicua in his car, where he crashed into it on purpose.

Inspector Josric Mifsud accused the man of a host of charges, which included attempted grievous bodily harm, causing voluntary damage to two cars, dangerous driving and harassing the woman's new partner.

Lawyer Yanika Bugeja entered a plea of not guilty, pointing out that the man was a father to three children, all under the age of three. His only other previous conviction was for a dissimilar offence, in 2015, she argued.

The court upheld the request, temporarily releasing the accused from arrest, against a deposit of €6,000 and a personal guarantee of €12,000, ordering him not to abscond from Malta or attempt to contact his ex-partner. He was also ordered to sign a bail book twice a week and observe a curfew. A protection order was issued in favour of the woman and her boyfriend. Because the crime was allegedly committed by means of a motor vehicle, the court also prohibited the man from driving a car until the case is concluded.