Drunk driver charged with Zabbar hit-and-run that killed dog, injured owner

A man has been arraigned in court in connection with a hit-and-run traffic accident that left a pedestrian grievously hurt and his canine companion dead.

54-year-old Ahmad Abu Hassan, a Syrian-born Cospicua resident, appeared in the dock before magistrate Josette Demicoli this morning, charged with grievously injuring the 41-year-old man who had been walking his dog in Triq Villabate in Zabbar just after 2pm on Saturday when he was hit by a vehicle driven by Hassan, who was allegedly intoxicated.

The man was taken to Mater Dei hospital where he was certified as having sustained grievous injuries. Police said the man's dog died as a result of the impact.

Hassan was also charged with negligent and dangerous driving, speeding, driving whilst over the drink-drive limit, driving a motorcycle whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failing to stop at the scene of an accident to which he was a party.

Police inspector Christabelle Chetcuti, prosecuting, asked the court to confiscate the motorcycle involved in the accident together with the man's driving licence in view of him being a receidivist. The prosecution also requested a protection order be issued in favour of the victim.

Defence lawyer Joe Brincat entered a plea of not guilty and requested bail, which was granted against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.