A Finn admitted in court yesterday to causing a high speed crash with a taxi on the outskirts of Valletta after he was confused by traffic signs and swerved to the wrong side.

Jyrki Juhani Sinisalo, 46, from Helsinki, also pleaded guilty to seriously injuring his partner, Danish national Sureka Dullay, who suffered a fractured leg and a fractured hipbone and spent some time in intensive care.

The accident happened on Great Siege Road at about 11pm on Monday. The couple was dining in the capital. As Mr Sinisalo, who appeared in court with a broken arm, was manoeuvring a bend on his rented motorcycle, he swerved to the wrong side, smashing into an oncoming taxi driven by Christopher Borg.

Magistrate Antony Vella said this was an “unfortunate” incident and conditionally discharged Mr Sinisalo for six months.

The prosecution withdrew the charge of negligent and dangerous driving. The court heard that damage to both vehicles was being settled through the insurance. Both were insured by the same firm.

Police Inspector Daryl Borg prosecuted.

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