Defence attributes incident to immaturity

A tall, stocky 19-year-old was yesterday charged with the attempted murder of a man in Siġġiewi when he allegedly ran him over with his car on Friday evening.

Clint Micallef, a storekeeper from Siġġiewi, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving and to seriously injuring a 48-year-old man who was arguing with his cousin.

The incident happened on Friday at about 7.30 p.m. in St Nicholas Square, Siġġiewi when Mr Micallef allegedly drove his Maruti Omni car in the direction of Raymund Agius, who was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

According to Mr Micallef's lawyers, Chris Cardona and Marion Camilleri, Mr Micallef only intended to scare Mr Aguis off and did not want to kill him. In fact, instead of fleeing the scene, Mr Micallef helped the victim until the police arrived and even gave him a towel, the defence team argued.

Dr Cardona said the accused was "just a boy" who had a stable job, a permanent residence and simply got into trouble because of his immaturity while his parents were abroad.

But Police Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Tony Cachia argued that there were a number of witnesses that were still to be heard and if the accused were to be granted bail he might try to influence their version of events. In fact, the inspectors said, there had already been an attempt to do so.

Magistrate Edwina Grima turned down the request for bail and Mr Micallef was remanded in custody.