Sending Maximilian Ciantar to prison was the worst thing – Defence lawyer

Maximilian Ciantar - the man facing charges of dangerous and negligent driving while under a court ban – reiterated that he was “unlucky” in court today, claiming that if a bomb went off in a Church, his car accident would get more media coverage.

Ciantar made the remark during the compilation of evidence against him, after defence lawyer Joe Brincat made a request for bail.

In his appeal, Brincat appealed to the court that his client’s biggest wish was to see his 2-year-old son. This was seconded by Ciantar himself, who told the court that his biggest heartache was not being able to see his son.

Moreover, the accused’s lawyer told the court that there is a great possibility that his client would succumb to drugs while incarcerated, arguing that drugs in prison are easily available at all times. Consequently, he said, imprisoning Ciantar was the “worst thing that could have happened to him.”

At this point, the Magistrate told Ciantar that she would only issue bail if she is satisfied that he will not relapse and commit another crime. Ciantar subsequently told the court that his case was being amplified by the court, insisting that all he had done was hit a car mirror.

Arguing that this “additional coverage” is not warranted, Ciantar argued that if a bomb went off in a church, and he had a car accident, his case would get more prominence. Moreover, he said that while many wars around the world went unreported by the media, his accidents were.

On her part, probation officer Mary Rose Farrugia testified in court today that on the day of the incident, 7 July, she had called Maximilian Ciantar and his parents because he had missed an appointment. Taking the witness stand, Farrugia told the court that he seemed to be out of sorts, and when she saw him, he “was in a bad state.”

Ciantar was subsequently taken to the Detox Centre, where Clinical Director George Grech said that Ciantar had overdosed. Grech referred him to hospital.

Ciantar was subsequently released from hospital because he was certified as being aware of his surroundings and was in a fit state.

Farrugia, who has been following Ciantar since 2007, told the court in the last year he was tested ten times for drugs, and he was clean every time. Moreover, she said that Ciantar had recovered and listened to her advice. On the day of the incident, she said, Ciantar had overdosed because he had a problem with his girlfriend.

Ciantar, who in 2010 was jailed for two years after running over two girls in Attard, is pleading not guilty to charges of negligent driving, of driving while under a court ban, of driving without a driving licence and insurance, of threatening two people, and of disobeying police orders.

Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted while lawyer Joe Brincat represented Maximilian Ciantar.

The case continues.