Man jailed after causing havoc in Qormi

Mark Pace, 39 of Qormi was sentenced to 18 months in prision after he was found guilty of causing slight injuries to a woman, of dangerous and reckless driving, threatening and assaulting police officers, resisting arrest and disobeying police orders.

Pace was also charged with carrying an unlicensed knife, breaching bail and relapsing.

Inspector Sandra Zammit said the man drove onto the metal railing on the pavement in Piazza Federico Maempel in Qormi and fled the scene on foot. A bystander was also injured. Moments later the police called at the residence of the accused but he refused to talk to them.

Finally he agreed to talk to Superintendent Sandro Gatt.

While talking to the officer, the accused turned on the gas cooker and held a lighter over the burners, threatening to blow up the house. Superintendent Gatt also noticed the accused had a knife tucked in his belt. The officer deemed the accused to be a threat to himself and others, and a taser gun was used on Pace to enable the police to arrest him. Another knife was found under a towel on the accused's bedside table.

A witness, Emmanuel Mangion, took the witness stand saying he was in the Pjazza when he saw the accused arguing with another man. Mangion heard the accused say: "tonight I'll kill all the children near the school". Subsequently he got into the car and drove onto the pavement where people were sitting and drinking.

During a previous sitting, the injured woman, Sina Fenech told the court she had forgiven the accused. Subsequently the prosecution dropped the charge of causing slight injuries.

Mark Pace was handed an 18-month jail term. The court ordered the accused's driving licence to be suspended for three months following his release from prison, and that he is suspended from applying for any other license for five years.

Having found Pace guilty of breaching bail, he was also ordered to deposit a personal guarantee of €13,976.24.