Y-plate driver charged with drink-driving following Żebbuġ crash
Accused was also working as a school bus driver despite not having the correct licence
A 29-year-old cab driver who allegedly crashed a van while six times over the alcohol limit has been denied bail.
Abdullahi Mohammed Isse also stands accused of driving a 17-seater van - and using it to transport children to school in the mornings - without the correct licence.
He appeared in court on Tuesday, accused of a traffic accident that happened at around 1 am on May 25 in Triq Imdina, Żebbuġ.
Police Inspector Clive Abela told the court that officers found a van that had crashed into a central strip. A female passenger was taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where she was certified as having suffered grievous injuries.
Isse, a Somali national, took a breathalyser test at the scene, which resulted in a reading of 140.5g/per 100ml of breath. Abela explained this was six times over the legal limit.
The legal alcohol limit for cab and taxi drivers is zero.
Isse also tested positive for cannabis.
The court also heard that the accused did not have the correct licence required to drive a 17-seater van. Despite that, prosecutors allege he drove children to school in the mornings.
Isse's employer is now also under investigation. Schools that used the company's transportation services have been contacted as part of the investigation.
Isse is pleading not guilty to charges.
Bail was requested, but Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech denied the request due to the serious nature of the charges. She also raised her concerns that the driver is allowed to transport children to school.
The prosecution was led by police inspector Clive Abela, while lawyer Sarah Ciliberti appeared for the accused.