Man convicted following road rampage

Wayne Joseph Camilleri, 24, of Naxxar, was handed an 18-month jail term suspended for three years after being found guilty of stealing a Toyota vehicle and disobeying police orders.

He was also charged with damaging three vehicles, slightly injuring Joseph Agius and breaching public peace and good order

Mary Pulo, owner of the Toyota explained how she was in her house in Santa Venera when she heard a loud noise and went out to see what happened.

"I saw my car on the opposite side of the road from where I parked it. The car had stopped against the pavement and had the door open. The accused was next to the vehicle. The following morning I found the accused's bank cards inside my Toyota", she said.

Another witness, Joseph Agius said he was driving along Carini Street, St Venera, when the accused tried to stop him.

"He stood in front of my car and when I tried to drive away he got into my vehicle and started hitting me. While on the passenger's seat he started kicking around, trashing the car's interior", the witness explained.

Taking the witness stand, two police officers explained how the accused was apprehended in Santa Venera in the evening of  7 August 2011.  

He was shouting and causing mayhem in the middle of the street. When Camilleri realised the police spotted him, he started kicking and jumping on the bonnet of a parked Ford Fusion.

Officers ordered him to desist from damaging the vehicle, but he snapped a wiper and hit one of the policemen.

"He challenged the officers, telling us he did not fear the police and we could try and arrest him any time we wanted," PS Raymond Ambrogio said.

The officers handcuffed the accused but he still retaliated and only calmed down after pepper spray was used on him.

Witnessing in his own case, Camilleri recounted he went to the San Gwann Bocci Club for a disco party celebrating the San Gwann feast.

There he shared a few drink together with his friends Chris and Terry Micallef. However he could not recall anything else as he blacked out.

When he returned to his senses, the accused realised he was in a police station and had to be taken to hospital as his legs were swollen.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri found Camilleri guilty of all charges. The accused was handed an 18-month jail term suspended for three years and fined €4,068 to pay for damages caused to the two vehicles. He was also ordered to pay €234.04 in court related fees.

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted while lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili appeared for the accused.