A man who caused a traffic accident in March 2001 was today ordered by a court to pay €73,375 as compensation to a passenger.

Duncan Galea had already been convicted by the Criminal Court for having caused the accident in Triq Buqana, Rabat.

Galea had been driving a Hydundai Accent with Paul Zammit in the passenger seat.

The were on their way back from a disco when the car smashed into a wall and crashed into a field.

Mr Zammit suffered a permanent neck disability and the car, belonging to his father, was a write-off.

The Court in 2003 found that Mr Galea as having caused the accident when he drove while under the influence of alcohol. He was also convicted of having caused the injury to Mr Zammit.

The court established Mr Zammit's disability at 15%

In considering compensation, the considered that at the time of the incident Mr Zammit was 27 years old and was paid a salary of Lm5,500.

Mr Galea was also ordered to pay the owner of the car, Joseph Zammit, €5,853.