Man charged with starting grassfires
A bank employee was yesterday charged with torching fields in Gozo during a stroll in the vicinity of Qbajjar. Andrew Attard, 37, of Marsalforn, pleaded not guilty to setting grass on fire between 4 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Magistrate Anthony Ellul...
A bank employee was yesterday charged with torching fields in Gozo during a stroll in the vicinity of Qbajjar. Andrew Attard, 37, of Marsalforn, pleaded not guilty to setting grass on fire between 4 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Magistrate Anthony Ellul heard that the police were tipped off by someone who saw Mr Attard striking matches to set the grass on fire.
The police went on site and noted Mr Attard setting the grass alight. Mr Attard does not smoke so the matches must have been taken there deliberately, Police Inspector Josric Mifsud told the court. The small grassfires were extinguished by the police without the need to call members of the Civil Protection Department.
Mr Attard told the police that he burnt the grass to create a path where he could walk through, the court heard.
He was granted bail against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of another €2,000.