Reckless driver fined Lm20

A Gudja man has been fined Lm20 for reckless driving but was cleared of driving dangerously and of disobeying police orders after a magistrate ruled the latter charges were not sufficiently proven.

Darren Gatt, 31, was found guilty of reckless driving by changing lanes without using the indicator in December 13 Road, Marsa, on November 13, 2000 in the morning.

He was, however, cleared of driving dangerously and without a seatbelt, swearing at PC M. Buttigieg and PC M. Portelli and disobeying their orders.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard the constables testify that Gatt was constantly crossing lanes to overtake other vehicles and was not wearing a seatbelt. They followed him, ordered him to pull up and when he did he started swearing at them.

But Gatt denied swearing at the constables and said he only removed his seatbelt when the constables were approaching his car. He did not deny overtaking the cars or failing to use the indicator.

He emphasised that the constables had behaved badly towards him.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera ruled she was unconvinced that Gatt had been driving dangerously. She also ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove all other charges.

The magistrate declined the prosecution`s request to suspend Gatt`s driving licence.

Police Inspector Denise Mula prosecuted.

Dr Jason Azzopardi appeared for Gatt.