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Driver bailed on drink-driving, involuntary homicide charges
A 22 year-old youth from Naxxar was this morning freed on bail after pleading not guilty to the involuntary homicide under the influence of alcohol of an 18 year-old girl in a car crash last Saturday night.
Clint Xuereb, 22 of Naxxar was charged under arrest and accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speed, breaching a probation order and relapsing.
Xuereb was at the wheel of his Opel Corsa which left the road at Bahar ic-Caghaq and landed on the rocks beneath, hurling his passenger Yana Xerri out of the window, killing her on the spot.
The prosecution, led by Police Inspector Elton Taliana opposed bail, stressing that it was necessary for the courts to send a clear message that drinking and driving were unacceptable.
Defense lawyers Edward Zammit Lewis and Adrian Camilleri argued that their client was presumed innocent until proven guilty and at this stage the prosecution could not ask for bail to be denied on the premise that it wanted to send a message to society.
Both lawyers insisted that Clint Xuereb had cooperated with the police and the only witnesses in the case were the court-appointed experts.
Bail was granted against a personal guarantee of €8,000 and a deposit of €2,000.
Jon Sciberras •
And justice for the girl he sent away early? She was innocent, so bring her back?. Driving under the influence is a crime, so already not looking too good.
