Maximilian Ciantar, the man who ran over twin girls while driving in Attard last year was back in court this morning after he was arrested by the police yesterday while allegedly driving without a licence.

Mr Ciantar pleaded not guilty to driving a car in contravention of a court order, taking a car without the consent of its owner, driving without a licence and insurance, and relapsing.

Defence Counsel Joe Brincat asked the court to notify the Minister of Home Affairs and ask him to investigate how the media knew about the case and were on the scene yesterday. The minister should also investigate how the charges against Mr Ciantar were made public on timesofmalta.com before they were issued.

Police Inspector Robert Vella said this was a very serious allegation, and it was not true that the charges were released to the media. He added that people had a right to comment.

Dr Brincat also asked for the release of the vehicle, which belongs to Mr Ciantar's father. He said that any vehicle which went into the police compound ended up being damaged.

Inspector Vella said a lawyer should not be making such serious allegations.

Mr Ciantar was remanded in custody.

Mr Ciantar, 21 of Marsa was released from jail last week after serving 16 months of a two-year jail term. An appeals court also controversially reduced a 10-year driving ban to six months, effective immediately. 

Yesterday he was picked up by a police mobile squad in a pink Toyota Vitz near the Ħamrun football ground. Police sources said a woman was a passenger in the car he was driving.

The public expressed outrage when the appeal court confirmed Mr Ciantar’s two-year jail term but drastically reduced the driving ban. The girls’ parents called the decision “farcical and an insult to society”.