Brothers behind viral reckless driving videos handed community service

Two brothers who filmed reckless driving through Malta’s streets and shared the footage on social media have been handed community service orders, fined, and banned from driving after admitting to the charges earlier this year.

David Adrian Lelonek and Arthur Martin Lelonek, Polish nationals living in Germany, were sentenced on Wednesday, almost four months after they were arraigned over the viral footage.

David, who was behind the wheel of the Kia Picanto seen in the videos, was ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service and fined €2,400. He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 15 months.

Arthur was ordered to perform 60 hours of community service and was similarly fined €2,400. His driving licence was suspended for 12 months.

The brothers had pleaded guilty at the earliest stage of proceedings following their arraignment on 13 May.

Viral footage showed reckless driving

The case emerged after footage showing reckless driving through Malta’s streets was circulated on social media.

David was charged with driving the Kia Picanto negligently and dangerously, as well as distributing material showing breaches of traffic laws and driving without third-party insurance.

He also faced a series of traffic charges after driving on the wrong side of the road, speeding, going against a no-entry sign and carrying out a U-turn in a prohibited area.

Arthur was convicted of distributing material involving breaches of traffic regulations and of allowing David to drive the vehicle without third-party insurance.

When the brothers were first arraigned in May, prosecutors described the driving as showing a blatant disregard for the laws of a “civilised country” and argued that publishing the footage could encourage others to carry out similar dangerous manoeuvres.

They were eventually granted bail against a €5,000 deposit and €30,000 personal guarantee each, and were ordered to sign the bail book daily, observe a curfew and refrain from driving while proceedings were ongoing.

Court rejects effective imprisonment

Before handing down sentence, the court considered probation reports drawn up on both men.

The court took into account that the brothers had admitted the charges at the earliest possible stage, had clean criminal records and had cooperated with the authorities from the outset.

It also noted that, during the months they had remained in Malta awaiting sentence, they had respected their bail conditions and had given no indication that they posed a threat to society.

David’s probation officer described him as having socio-economic stability, flexible employment and no apparent need for treatment for addiction. The officer nevertheless highlighted the danger and risks created by his conduct and recommended community service.

Arthur’s probation report similarly noted that he had a good level of education, stable employment and a family with children. The report said he had no drug or alcohol addictions, was conscious of the seriousness of the case and regretted his actions.

In both cases, the court stressed the serious nature of the offences and the potentially grave consequences of the brothers’ conduct.

However, the court concluded that an effective prison sentence would benefit neither the offenders nor society.

The court said punishment had to strike a balance between the gravity of the case, the reform of the offenders and the interests of society, finding that community service would allow the men to give something back to the community.

In David’s case, the court ordered 150 hours of unpaid work or unpaid work and training.

Arthur was ordered to carry out 60 hours.

€2,400 fines for insurance offences

The court could not impose community service for the offences relating to driving without third-party insurance. Maltese law expressly prevents the application of the Probation Act to an offence under Article 3 of the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third-Party Risks) Ordinance.

David was therefore fined €2,400 for driving without insurance, while Arthur received the same fine for allowing him to do so.

In David’s case, the court also ruled that the charges relating to failing to keep left or signal, speeding, ignoring a no-entry sign and carrying out a prohibited U-turn were absorbed into the more serious dangerous or negligent driving charge.

David was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 15 months, while Arthur was handed a 12-month disqualification.

The court warned both men that failure to comply with their community service orders, or the commission of another offence, could result in them being sentenced for the original offences.

Inspectors Clive Abela and Nathan Bugeja prosecuted.

Lawyers Jason Azzopardi, Kris Busietta, and Alessandro Farrugia represented the accused.

Magistrate Ingrid Bianco presided over the sitting.