16 year-old's BMW joyride lands his mother in the dock

The mother of a 16-year-old boy who was arrested on Monday whilst joyriding in her BMW has denied being negligent, during her arraignment this afternoon.

The woman's 16-year-old son had been driving his mother's white BMW when he clipped another vehicle in Triq il-Lanca, Valletta on Monday morning. Although the vehicle was damaged, fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident.

Inspector Daryl Borg charged the woman with failing to ensure that her vehicle could not be driven in her absence, allowing the minor to drive the vehicle without a driving licence and while not covered by insurance and with failing to take care of her son.

Lawyers Giannella Demarco and Gianluca Caruana Curran, appearing as defence counsel to the woman, told Magistrate Charmaine Galea that the accused is a single parent of 4, who tends a small shop in Valletta to make ends meet. She could not be constantly in control of what her children were doing.

The 41-year old mother was the picture of misery, crying in silence before the sitting began. Only briefly did the woman sob. For the entirety of the arraignment she sat with her arms tightly crossed, her clenched hand in front of her mouth.

The defence pleaded not guilty and requested bail, which was granted against a deposit of €500 and personal guarantee of €2000.

“Keep your car keys in your pocket and nowhere else,” the magistrate advised the woman as she left the court room, “or they will get you in to a great deal of trouble.”