Man pleads guilty to breaching bail after trying to board flight to India
The accused said he wanted to visit his brother after he was involved in a traffic collision
A man has pleaded guilty to breaching two sets of bail conditions after he tried to leave Malta to India.
Melbin Devassy, 35, was accused of breaching two sets of bail conditions imposed on him in March last year and in July this year.
In 2024, Devassy was charged with reckless driving in an incident that occurred in Luqa in February that year. He was also charged with driving without a licence or insurance cover.
The accused recently requested his passport be returned to him after it was deposited in court after he was granted bail, giving the reason that he wanted to resolve some issues with Identità.
The police were informed that the man tried to leave Malta on Wednesday.
In his statement to police, Devassy said his brother had been involved in a collision and wanted to visit him in India.
After he admitted to the charges, the prosecution made their submissions on punishment requesting the forfeiture of his bail deposits and a four-month prison sentence.
Legal aid lawyer Victor Bugeja countered that his client did not carry out the offence since he did not travel. He insisted his client was in a state of confusion after getting to know that his brother was injured in a collision in India.
“It did not cross his mind to request permission to travel. He would have returned to Malta after ten days,” Bugeja said.
The case was postponed to later this month.
Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit presided.
Police inspector Gabriel Kitcher prosecuted.
Lawyer Victor Bugeja appeared for the accused.