Man admits to driving without licence and insurance cover
The man's licence is suspended until next month
A man has pleaded guilty to driving a van without insurance and while his licence was suspended.
Omar Alhamdoalgorsh, 27, was accused of driving without a licence and insurance cover, breaching bail conditions and recidivism.
Alhamdoalgorsh was caught after being stopped by community police and Transport Malta officials carrying out traffic inspections on Triq Burmarrad in St Paul’s Bay, police inspector Warren Galea told a court Tuesday.
The officers asked the accused for a licence and he said he did not have one. The sergeant contacted the Police’s control room and was informed that Alhamdoalgorsh’s licence was suspended until September 12.
He was also informed that the man signs the bail book at Qawra Police Station.
The man was arrested and arraigned in court on Tuesday afternoon.
He confirmed he would plead guilty.
While hearing submissions on punishment, the police inspector said this was the second time Alhamdoalgorsh was caught driving without a licence and the law was clear.
The inspector said that while the man had adhered to his bail conditions, this incident led to a breach since he committed a crime while out on bail. Galea added that the man regretted having driven without a licence.
Defence lawyer Noel Bianco said the man miscalculated and thought the suspension had elapsed and that he was clear to get back behind the wheel. He was also on his way to work when caught driving without a licence.
The court fined him €5,500 and disqualified him from having a driving licence for 18 months, beginning after the current suspension elapses on September 12.
The court ordered the forfeiture of €1,000 from his personal guarantee but did not revoke his bail.
“In these circumstances, you should really be careful. With all these incidents around us caused by the lack of care for traffic regulations, you should really be careful,” Magistrate Jean Paul Grech warned the man before he left the courtroom.
Police inspector Warren Galea prosecuted.
Lawyer Noel Bianco assisted the accused.