Woman charged after driving over central strip to evade police

Cannabis and prohibited weapons were found in her car

The woman was released on bail against a deposit of €5000 and a personal guarantee of €5000
The woman was released on bail against a deposit of €5000 and a personal guarantee of €5000

A woman has been arraigned in court this morning after allegedly executing dangerous manoeuvres in her car in an unsuccessful bid to evade police.

Naomi Tanti, 24, from Mosta had been approached by police officers from the Drug Squad in Naxxar on Thursday when she tried to escape in her car, driving into oncoming traffic. As she fled the scene, she drove her car over the central strip and on the wrong side of the road. She was however later apprehended after having to stop cause of a punctured tyre. Cannabis and prohibited weapons were found in her car.

The police arraigned Tanti before magistrate Ian Farrugia this morning on charges of simple possession of cannabis, disobeying legitimate orders, resisting arrest and breach of bail. She was also charged with carrying a knife in public without a permit, driving dangerously and contravening a no entry sign. Finally she was also charged with possessing a prohibited butterfly knife.

Defence counsel asked for bail claiming that although she was being accused of breach of bail, the primary purpose of bail had been determined by the European Court to be to secure the accused‘s presence for her proceedings.

Tanti’s lawyers argued that she had been on bail for the past two years and had always presented herself in court and has always obeyed the court’s orders. Moreover, all witnesses were police officers and therefore there was no real danger of her tampering with evidence. Magistrate Ian Farrugia granted bail against a deposit of €5,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.

Inspector Anthony Scerri prosecuted. Lawyers Alfred Abela, Arthur Azzopardi and Rene Darmanin appeared for the defendant.