Guilty plea to driving spree which injured woman, damaged cars

A 20-year-old man was yesterday charged with stealing a van, crashing into several cars and slightly injuring a woman while he was under the influence of alcohol on Saturday.

Joseph Compagno pleaded guilty to stealing George Baldacchino's Mazda from Bugibba at about 7 p.m., driving it dangerously and recklessly, without a licence and insurance cover, and speeding.

He also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, damaging the van and other cars through negligence, slightly injuring Elizabeth Attard and failing to stop to give his particulars after being involved in a series of traffic accidents in Bugibba, Sliema, St Julian's and other places between 7 and 8 p.m.

Compagno also admitted threatening PS Gino Caruana and PC Edwin Azzopardi in Sliema at about 8 p.m., committing a crime during the operative time of a suspended jail term and relapsing.

Following a request by Dr Anthony Cutajar, for Compagno, Magistrate Miriam Hayman ordered the compilation of a pre-sentencing inquiry report before judgment is handed down.

Dr Cutajar then made a request for bail but the prosecution objected, saying that although Compagno had told the court that he lived in Birkirkara he did not have a fixed residence.

Compagno, he added, usually slept at the Qawra police station or at the Sliema police station.

Magistrate Hayman denied bail at this stage.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.