Driver accused of negligent driving, injuring teen on bike, hit-and-run
Police were not called following accident, instead, victim was placed in a cab
A 22-year-old man was granted bail after pleading guilty to reckless, dangerous and negligent driving, as well as grievously injuring a 16-year-old boy and damaging the latter’s motorised bicycle.
Ruslan Maggi was further accused of disobeying legitimate police orders, and failing to stop following the collision. He was also charged with being in possession of a knuckleduster and failing to change his address on his identification documents.
The court warned him of the consequences of his admission when he was arraigned in court on Monday.
During submissions on punishment, defence lawyer Mario Mifsud argued that the law regulated small scooters and e-kick scooters, among others.
"But here we’ve got a 16-year-old boy who fled his family [home] on a motorised bicycle and drove it on a main road," Mifsud said.
Such an incident could have resulted in a scratch, he said, adding that in this case, the accused suffered an injured testicle.
Mifsud said that had his client called the police, he would not have been arraigned under arrest.
The defence asked for a suspended sentence noting that in other similar cases where the victim had lost their lives, the accused had got a suspended sentence.
Police inspector Clive Abela explained that Maggi made an illegal manoeuvre which resulted in the collision.
Instead of calling the authorities, the victim was placed in a cab.
The police only traced the accused following a 17-hour investigation, leading to a waste resources. Once found, he cooperated fully with the police.
After hearing the submissions on punishment, the defence requested bail against a €500 deposit and a €2,000 personal guarantee.
A curfew was imposed and that he signs two times a day.
Magistrate Abigail Critien presided
Police inspector Clive Abela prosecuted.
Lawyers Mario Mifsud and Nicholas Mifsud assisted the accused.