A potato grower was fined €1,500 for negligent driving that led to an accident in which four people were injured.

Raymond Abdilla, 58, from Safi, was on his way to work on October 21, 2010, at about 4.30am. He stopped at a crossroads on Dun Ġużepp Barbara Street, Kirkop, and planned to drive onto Valletta Road, Żurrieq. He spotted a vehicle approaching from afar and he concluded he would have time to make a right turn before the other vehicle arrived.

But he miscalculated and the two vehicles collided.

The approaching vehicles was a van driven by Ian Francalanza, who was taking three women – Christina Pace, Kimberley Camilleri and Madeleine Cachia – home after their night shift. On impact, the van spun 180 degrees.

The van was so badly damaged it had to be scrapped.

Magistrate Edwina Grima said the evidence proved that Mr Abdilla had failed to keep a proper look out when he manoeuvred out of the stop sign.

She said that, contrary to what the defence had argued, that Mr Francalanza had been driving at an excessive speed, brake marks indicated that he was doing 60 kilometres an hour.

Police Inspector Carlos Cordina prosecuted.