Maximilian Ciantar back in court after incident with journalists - granted bail again

Maximillian Ciantar was back in court today, accused of having yesterday threatening journalists and attempted to assault one of them. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

Yesterday's incident happened before and after a hearing during which he was also granted bail after having been earlier accused of violating a court driving ban.

Ciantar was this month released from prison after serving 16 months of a two year jail term for having run over twin 12-year-old girls while driving in Attard.

He was today accused of threatening The Times journalist Waylon Johnston, Gaetano Micallef of l-orizzont and Ray Abdilla of In-Nazzjon and trying to assault Mr Johnston.

Defence counsel Joseph Brincat argued that the charge against his client was not correct in terms of the law and therefore he could not be held under arrest. In previous cases, he said, the accused in such cases were arraigned by summons and not under arrest. He reserved the right to contest the charge on the basis of discrimination. He said there were cases where a man threatened his wife in a more serious  manner and was not charged under arrest. He therefore requested bail.

Prosecutor Inspector Daniel Zammit objected, saying Mr Ciantar was not trustworthy. He said the alleged case took place inside the courtroom and immediately outside, just minutes after Mr Ciantar had been granted bail on another case.

He pointed out that Mr Ciantar is facing charges of ignoring a court imposed driving ban. Clearly he did not respect conditions laid down by the court.

Dr Brincat said that what counted in the issue of bail was whether or not an accused would turn up for a sitting.

What irked Mr Ciantar, Dr Brincat said was that in the case where he involuntarily injured the twins, it took ten months for him to be granted bail, and then in court one saw people on bail even though they were accused of murder.

The inspector said that it was important that journalists were assured that Mr Ciantar would not bother them.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli decided to grant Mr Ciantar bail and warned him not to speak to witnesses and journalists and not try to pass on messages, even indirectly. She said the accused cannot leave his house before 6 a.m. and he has to be in by 10 p.m., Bail was granted against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €1,500.