Man acquitted of drink-drive charge after charge sheet discrepancies

Kev Samut

Jun 13th 2011, 22:44

Why there is always a way one can escape from a serious crime like this.
I once was ordered not to drive for 6 months as I overtook a bus and had to pass on the opposite side of the road as the bus stopped in the middle of the street to pick up passengers.
Maybe I wasn't lucky Mr Magistrate?

riccardo borg

Jun 13th 2011, 17:44

We are all subject to gross errors especially the police. Any error they commit has its repercussions as shown quite clearly by this case.

I remember acting as a juror on a case of a youth accused of attacking another with a penknife. The youth was accompanied by his brother, as an accomplice in the same case, who was equally guilty but was fined twenty three Euro in a Magistrates Court.

In this case, the accused stood to be sent to prison or get a hefty fine. It was a case of bad police handling. The accused was found guilty by the Jury but was let off with a warning.

Joseph Vassallo

Jun 13th 2011, 15:30

Does the balance of probability ever enter the scenario?

Is it true what they about the law having big ears and four legs?

Mr Biker Man

Jun 13th 2011, 15:11

Maltese justice at its best !!!

Mr Peter Murray

Jun 13th 2011, 14:43

The magistrate should charge the police with wasting the courts time and the victim should sue the police for gross negligenceand misaapropriation of evidence.

Mr Joseph N. Attard

Jun 13th 2011, 14:14

Mr Baldachino seems to be in somebody's good books!

Mr J Xerri

Jun 13th 2011, 13:23

... and who is going to compensate the victims now?

Mr Peter Magnell

Jun 13th 2011, 12:59

Slap in the face to the victim

Mr James Cauchi

Jun 13th 2011, 12:34

Multiple inconsitencies.

Who is accountable?

Mr Paul Barrett

Jun 13th 2011, 12:15

Does not anyone have the responsibility to check these minor but vital details before wasting Court time and money. One minor error is not good but understandable, two is careless and should not happen, three or more is absolutely not acceptable and reflects extremely bad pre-trial procedure and preparation by the prosecution.

D. A . Agius

Jun 13th 2011, 12:13

Well done. Let him drink and drive

I don't blame the courts only on this. Whoever is in power seems not being able to comprehend how to make bureaucracy work for the good of Justice, and not Justice at the mercy of bureaucracy.

Why isn't the Police Report and charge sheet harmonised as to be one complete system. Why was the ID card of the accused inconsistent? What were the inconsistencies of the breathalyser test?

I understand in such a case the Magistrate will probably have sent a communication to the Commissioner of Police telling him to take any measures needed so that this does not happen again.

Will this one take steps to analyse the problem (possibly an archaic and obsolete system, possibly in place for donkey's ages) and not the instance (i.e. disciplinary measures against the Policewo/men who may have committed mistakes)?