Driver was drunk when cab crashed into hairdresser's salon, court told

Court turns down request for bail

The motorist who was behind the wheel of a cab that crashed into a hairdresser's shop on Thursday morning was drunk, a court heard during his arraignment on Sunday.

Police Inspector Nathan Bugeja told Magistrate Gianella Camilleri Busuttil that the motorist, 42-year-old Somali Abdi Salaan Mahammad Abditon, suffered slight injuries when he lost control of the car and crashed into the salon on Cannon Road, Sta Venera.

A breathalyser test in hospital showed an alcohol level of over 100 when he should not have had any alcoholic drink, being a cab driver. 

No one was injured in the incident, which happened at about 8am and was recorded on CCTV.  The hairdresser avoided injury because she happened to be outside feeding cats.

The defence requested bail, with the legal aid lawyer arguing that his client had not had any previous court cases and did not know the witnesses.

The prosecution opposed the request, pointing out that this was a serious case, and the accused had told the police that he wished to speak to the shop's owner.

Bail was denied. 

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