Polish youth pays damages and has driving licence suspended

Daniel Arthur Sobczak, 20, from Poland, was ordered by the Court to pay €8,000 in damages caused to a car owners whose vehicles and boats were damages when the car of the accused plunged into the sea at the Ta’ Xbiex Marina on 15th March.

The Polish youth, who resides in Sliema, admitted to charges of reckless driving and damaging private property. The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday 15 March when the car driven by the man smashed into two parked vehicles and toppled into the sea, after hitting two berthed boats.

Driving along the Ta’ Xbiex Marina, towards Msida Church, he lost control of the car, hit two parked cars, swerved to the left and plunging into the water. The car landed in the water on the roof, trapping the accused inside.

A police officer and a passer-by jumped into the cold waters, but it was too dark and they had no tools to open the car door. Members of the Civil Protection arrived on the scene and ARO David Cassar dived in and freed Sobczak. The Polish youth was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital where his condition was certified as critical. However, after two days Sobczak recovered and was arraigned this afternoon.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke heard how the youth was driving an Opel Corsa with Hungarian number plates, belonging to Ferenc Varga.

Preliminary investigations made officers suspect that Varga was responsible for the incident, but investigators later learnt that he had left for Sweden. The police identified Sobczak as the perpetrator.

After pleading guilty, Sobczak paid €7,000 towards the damages and promised he will pay the remaining €1,000, soon. The court also fined the youth an additional €400 and suspended his driving licence for three months.

Inspector Jonathan Ransley prosecuted.