Hassane Soutra handed suspended sentence after breaching bail conditions

Hassane Soutra, the Moroccan national who was granted bail earlier this year after being charged over an alleged drink-driving hit-and-run in Gozo that injured five people has received a suspended sentence.

The incident had left one victim critically injured.

The suspended sentence was handed to Soutra after he breached his bail conditions.

Soutra, 54, admitted breaching one of the conditions imposed by the court when he was released on bail in January. At the time, he had been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and committing several serious traffic offences in an incident that left five people injured. Despite strong objections from the prosecution, he had been granted bail under strict conditions, including a nightly curfew.

Represented by lawyers Delilah Vella and Anthea Bonnici Zammit, Soutra pleaded guilty before the Gozo Court of Magistrates to breaching that curfew, which required him to remain at his residence between 9pm and 6am. The prosecution was led by Inspector Keith Xerri.

Before accepting the guilty plea, the court gave the accused time to reconsider his admission and consult with his lawyers. After confirming that he understood the legal consequences, Soutra reaffirmed his guilty plea.

In sentencing, the court took into account the early guilty plea, his cooperation with police, his criminal record and the prosecution's position that it was not seeking an effective prison sentence or the revocation of bail.

Soutra was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of €2,000 from the bail deposit he had lodged when released earlier this year.