An underage driver steering a stolen car sped away from the police because he was scared, his girlfriend, who was a passenger told a Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

She also said that she had accepted a ride after being told the car had been found abandoned in the street.

The stolen Nissan March convertible was spotted by a police patrol at Kirkop. The police gave chase and arrested the driver after he failed to stop and allegedly drove at an officer.

The 17-year old is accused of stealing the vehicle, driving without a licence and insurance, assaulting or violently resisting a police officer as well as attempted grievous bodily harm.

Neither the accused nor his girlfriend may be named, under a court order since they are both minors.

The girl said that on October 17 she had accompanied her boyfriend to Mcast and then on to Msida where she had planned to meet some friends.

Later that day when the silver Nissan March was spotted by a police patrol at Kirkop, her boyfriend tried to get away because he was scared, the girl said.

READ: Boy driver in stolen car arrested after driving at police

A number of policemen testified how the Nissan March had been stationary when it was first spotted at Kirkop.

After seeing the police, the young driver had driven through the streets of Kirkop, finally going down a one-way street where he eventually found his path blocked by a van parked in the middle of the road. He was then arrested.

The young man’s father was duly informed over the phone and the lawful owner of the stolen Nissan was also contacted.

The girl accompanying the driver was also arrested at the time, but was eventually released once it was established that she had nothing to do with the charges faced by her boyfriend.

The accused was later granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000 and a deposit of €500. The court noted that all civilian witnesses had testified. 

Lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia were defence counsel.