Two youths charged in relation to car chase

Two youths have been remanded in custody after they were charged with a slew of offences in connection with a Sunday night car chase which ended only when their car crashed into a playing field in San Ġwann.

In a statement, the police said members of the Rapid Intervention Unit had noticed a car being driven the wrong way up a one-way street in Sliema. The officers signalled to the driver to turn back, but the car sped off, hitting a parked Land Rover in the process.

A car chase ensued with the car heading towards San Ġwann, before the driver lost control of the stolen Toyota Vitz and crashed into a playing field in front of the San Ġwann parish church, causing €2,000 worth of damage to third-party property and rendering the car a “total loss,” Inspector Joseph Xerri told Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras yesterday.

The driver, 19-year-old quarry worker Marlon Baldacchino, of Żabbar, suffered no injuries, but the passengers in the car were injured. A 16year-old boy and an 18-yearold woman, both from Cospicua, were slightly injured while another woman, 26, from Qormi, was grievously injured.

A substance believed to be drugs was found in the possession of the driver.

In court yesterday, Baldacchino and the 16-year-old pleaded not guilty to no less than 35 separate charges relating to unlicensed driving, receiving stolen goods – in this case the car they were driving as well as the licence plates, which were stolen from separate vehicles – and criminal damage.

Baldacchino was separately charged with grievously injuring one of his female passengers and slightly injuring the other.

He was also accused of negligently causing damage to thirdparty property and several road offences.

Lawyer Franco Debono requested bail on behalf of the younger accused, suggesting bail supervision. The prosecution objected, pointing out that the 16-year-old had already been found guilty of similar charges and had breached court orders.

The court, after hearing the submissions on bail, refused the request for bail as the court was not satisfied the accused would provide the necessary guarantees.