A man has been placed on probation for three years and disqualified from holding a driver's licence for five years after admitting to crashing his car into three others and then setting his own car on fire in an attempt at insurance fraud. 

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia also issued a three-year treatment order in view of his mental health problems. His name is not being published to protect his identity. 

The case happened at 4am on August 23, 2008, when the man was driving his Peugeot 306 through St Joseph High Road in Hamrun. He was driving under the influence and crashed into three parked cars - a Peugeot, a Mitsubishi Pajero and a Kia.

He then drove to the Valletta ditch where he set his vehicle on fire. 

After all evidence had been heard and the case put off for final submissions, the man entered a guilty plea to all the charges brought against him. 

A court-appointed psychiatrist testified that the man had a mental health disorder and was receiving treatment at Mount Carmel Hospital. He also had a drug and alcohol addiction in the past but seemed to have managed to kick the habit. 

The court heard how the man was currently on probation over another case and was being followed by a probation officer. In a pre-sentencing report, the court was asked to grant another probation order to ensure that the man continues being supervised. 

Magistrate Farrugia upheld this recommendation and placed the man on probation for three years. She also issued a three-year treatment order and ordered him to pay the owners of the cars he damaged a total of almost €2,000. 

Moreover, she disqualified him from holding a driver's licence for a period of five years. 

Police Inspector James Grech prosecuted.