Boy charged over friend's joyride death

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the manslaughter of his friend who died during a joyride that turned into a tragedy last May.

The accused, whose name cannot be published by law as he is a minor, is pleading not guilty to the manslaughter of Jake Cassar, 16, who was sitting in the back seat of the Suzuki Samurai when the accused, who was allegedly at the wheel, lost control and crashed into a barrier on the Regional Road on May 23, 2003, at about 3.15 a.m.

The boy is also charged with slightly injuring Nicholas Scicluna, also 16, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, driving his father's Suzuki without permission, driving without a licence or insurance cover, speeding and driving dangerously and recklessly.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano heard how the accident happened when the three teenagers agreed to sneak out of their homes at night and take the accused's father's car on a joyride.

The magistrate ruled there were enough reasons for the boy to be indicted. Police Inspector Mario Tonna prosecuted.

Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for the boy while Dr Michael Sciriha appeared in parte civile.