Teen granted bail after being caught driving without licence, carrying knife
Accused banned from getting behind the wheel of any vehicle, even with a driving instructor
An 18-year old was granted bail after he was caught driving without a licence and in possession of a knife.
Jean Claude Abela, from Żabbar, was banned from getting behind the wheel of any vehicle, even with a driving instructor.
Police received a report about a white Toyota Starlet allegedly being driven by a person without a driving licence. The vehicle was stopped by police on Tuesday at around 5.40pm in Triq il-Kottonera in Vittoriosa.
When the accused was asked to present his documents, he allegedly did not have a driving licence or an insurance policy.
During a search carried out on the accused, police found a knife in his possession.
Abela, who has already been found guilty of three other offences in the past, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
The prosecution objected to the request for bail, arguing that the accused was not reliable.
The defence argued that the charges should not be considered serious and stressed the principle of the presumption of innocence.
The defence also maintained that there was a risk the accused would lose his job if bail was not granted.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi, upheld the request for bail on condition that he signs the bail book three times a week, pays a €5,000 deposit and provides a personal guarantee of €20,000.
The court also prohibited him from driving any type of vehicle, including under the supervision of a driving instructor.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Kurt Farrugia, while lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared for Abela.