ADT reviews security at compounds

The Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is reviewing security measures at its compounds after a sports car impounded last year was severely damaged.

The car stereo was stolen, the front bumper and side mirror cracked, the glove compartment was ripped out, wires were dangling from behind the dashboard, the seats were torn and the paintwork lost its sheen.

Breaking its two-week silence over the issue, the ADT said it had asked the Police Commissioner to investigate how the sports car was damaged while at one of its compounds.

The 1991 vehicle, owned by Briton Albert Tapper, was brought to Malta in April 2008. But in October, the car was impounded by an ADT inspector because it was being driven around Malta with foreign number plates.

Mr Tapper told The Sunday Times that the car was towed away and nobody informed him of its destination. All he was told was that it was taken to an ADT compound where he had to pay €6.95 a day for storage.

The ADT had originally asked him to pay €8,000 in registration tax, but after he chose to wait for the new registration tax regime, which came into effect on January 1, the cost shot up to €15,000 because of the car's origin, age and emissions. Mr Tapper felt it was not worth registering the car in Malta and wanted to send the car back to the UK.

He paid €1,911 for the 273 days the car spent at the compound but was shocked when he finally went to see the car.

Mr Tapper's lawyers have confirmed that he will file a civil case for compensation this week.

mxuereb@timesofmalta.com