A 24-year-old man who never managed to pass his theory driving exam was yesterday fined for driving without a licence, threatening a police officer and disobeying the officer’s orders.

Magistrate Carol Peralta was compassionate with Ryan Briffa, 24, of Marsa, and went so far as to appoint a probation officer to help him study for and pass his driving exam.

He heard how Mr Briffa was stopped by a traffic policeman as he was driving his Peugeot on the Regional Road. Mr Briffa is well-known to the police because it was not the first time he was caught driving without a licence.

Mr Briffa drove off and was stopped a few metres away as he began driving up Sliema Road.

The court heard how Mr Briffa got out of the car and began threatening the police officer, accusing him of picking on him.

Since he was aggressive, the policeman ordered him to stay away or else he would retaliate with pepper spray. Mr Briffa threatened to shoot him.

The police officer radioed for assistance and the man was arrested.

In court, Mr Briffa admitted to the charges brought against him, including that of relapsing.

His defence lawyer, Leslie Cuschieri, told the court his client was not able to read or write and therefore could not pass his theory exam.

Magistrate Peralta told the young man that despite being given another chance, he had been wrong in insulting a police officer, who was simply doing his job. He fined him €800 and placed him on probation for a year.

Police inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted.