€2,000 fine for injuring pedestrian

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit found Francis Cutajar, 45, guilty of grievously injuring Elizabeth Mallia on 19 September 2009 at St Paul's Bay, in a traffic accident while Cutajar was driving.

Cutajar was overtaking a minibus in the area in front of the Dolmen Hotel, in St Paul's Bay, when he hit a pedestrian, Mallia, as she was crossing the road from the hotel.

Mallia was hit on her left leg, and later taken to hospital where it resulted that she was suffering from grievous injuries.

In his testimony, Cutajar agreed with the victim's version, but added that it was Mallia who walking towards the direction of the car, rather than away from it.

The court held that the victim's version was closer to what had happened in the incident and stated that this was a typical case where a driver does not keep a proper look-out and miscalculated his distance while overtaking.

Cutajar was found guilty and fined €2,000.