Briton finally faces justice

An Englishman who jumped bail in Malta four years ago has been brought back after a legal battle that included the first European arrest warrant being issued by Malta.

The story goes back to 2003 after 40-year-old Tristan Haynes allegedly seriously injured another Englishman, David Shepard, and slightly injured a Maltese couple, Marian and Joseph Attard, in a car accident. Mr Shepard suffered injuries to his face, head and chest and the couple sustained cuts and bruises.

Shortly after his arraignment, Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani granted him bail against a deposit of Lm10, 000 and a personal guarantee of Lm10,000. His defence team objected to the conditions imposed and the Criminal Court of Appeal reduced the bail conditions.

He was granted bail and the last time he signed the bail book was in 2005 as shortly after he left the island for the UK where he has been since.

Malta issued its first European arrest warrant against Mr Haynes in February 2007 and the case was then heard by the Magistrates' Court in the City of Westminster, London.

During proceedings in London, he had alleged that while in Malta he had not been given a translator and, only after a record of all the proceedings had been sent to London and verified, did the court order his extradition to Malta on July 11, 2007.

Mr Haynes appealed the decision on October 24, 2007 and he was discharged after the High Court declared the arrest warrant invalid.

The Maltese authorities issued another European arrest warrant in June 2008 and the Magistrates' Court in the City of Westminster re-ordered his extradition last December. He filed another appeal but this was dismissed on March 26 bringing to an end a legal skirmish that lasted two years.

Mr Haynes arrived in Malta on Good Friday after he was surrendered to the Malta Police at Heathrow Airport.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi heard the case on Saturday and ordered his arrest and forfeiture of the bail bond.

The compilation of evidence was meant to continue yesterday but Mr Haynes informed the court that his new lawyer, Chris Bonnett, had not appeared and needed all the records of the case before he could continue.

The case is due to start on Monday.

Speaking after the first hearing, lawyer Kriss Busietta, who is appearing for the alleged victims, thanked the Attorney General's Office for their perseverance in securing the return of Mr Haynes to Malta to face justice.

Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia is conducting the prosecution.

In London, the Attorney General's Office in Malta was aided by Paul Close from the Crown Prosecution's Office and Gemma Linfield who acted as counsel for Malta.