Foreigner awaiting drug trial charged with trying to abscond

A British national who is awaiting trial for allegedly conspiring to deal in drugs was yesterday charged with attempting to flee Malta with a fake passport. Mark Charles Kenneth Stephens, 45, had been extradited from Spain to Malta in September 2005 to...

A British national who is awaiting trial for allegedly conspiring to deal in drugs was yesterday charged with attempting to flee Malta with a fake passport.

Mark Charles Kenneth Stephens, 45, had been extradited from Spain to Malta in September 2005 to face drug charges. Seven months after his arraignment, he was granted bail on condition he does not leave the home of his Maltese mother without court permission.

He appeared before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi yesterday charged with attempting to run away from the island, forging a passport, being in possession of a forged passport, breaching a court order and relapsing. The court heard that he was caught as he was trying to leave Malta on a flight to Spain.

Mr Stephens pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him and was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.

Lawyer Joe Brincat was defence counsel.

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