UPDATED: Five more drivers in court
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Five more public transport workers were arraigned in court this morning in connection with violent incidents over the past few days.
Four were allegedly involved in incidents in Marsa yesterday morning while the fifth was charged in connection with the attack on a coach near St Dorothy School in Zebbug.
The drivers arraigned this morning were Vincent Spiteri, 48 of Qormi, Jason Desira 35 of Zejtun, Aaron Zahra 27 of Qormi and Shaun Tabone 25, of Marsa - all minibus drivers, who were accused of stopping a private coach in Triq Il Labour Marsa yesterday and holding the driver against his will. They were also accused of being part of a group intent on committing a crime.
Shaun Tabone was also accused of committing a crime during the operative period of suspended sentence and relapsing.
Jason Desira was also accused of damaging a vehicle at Pinto Wharf on Monday morning, keeping a person against his will and assaulting two people.
Bus driver Anthony Zerafa, 45, of Sta Venera was accused of having slightly injured a coach driver in an incident in Zebbug on Wednesday morning. He was also accused of holding the driver against his will and threatening him and a number of students.
All pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody.
Police investigations are continuing.
Another 12 drivers were arraigned over the past few days and also remanded in custody.
5 Comments
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Joseph Stafrace
Jul 17th 2008, 16:04
So we have this Shaune Tabone accuse of committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended sentence and relapsing. So that is why in their original draft agreement the Federation made it one of the conditions that the Police conduct certificate should not be considered for the issueing of the operator's licence .
Kevin Zammit
Jul 17th 2008, 14:23
So this Shaun guy drives kids to school huh?
Matthew Azzopardi
Jul 17th 2008, 14:17
Well done to the court in all this. at least its keeping them under lock....the boys in blue have still many other to arrest before they can be congratulated
joseph zammit
Jul 17th 2008, 13:37
"accused of committing a crime during the operative period of suspended sentence and relapsing"... and we send our children with them in their vans!
How about having a law stating that school children and youngsters bus drivers must have a clean conduct?
J Oatmon
Jul 17th 2008, 12:03
If those 'drivers' who behaved violently are found guilty, what then?
Will these drivers be banned from working as public transport drivers in future - not in Malta, the troublemakers will be back again next week acting selfishly making trouble and getting away with it again.
In most other EU countries Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers have a very stringent driving test to pass and a strict code of conduct, they wear uniforms and are accountable for their actions, and must show their valid licence when required.
PSV licenses are required for buses, coaches, mini buses, taxis, trams etc. If a PSV driver is caught behaving badly or driving dangerously their PSV licence is withdrawn, and they are not allowed to drive Public Service Vehicles any more.
A convicted violent criminal is never ever given a PSV licence.
What criteria does Malta have (or enforce) for PSV drivers???
Please choose the reason of your report below: