A Maltese man accused of killing two motorcyclists during a drunk driving episode in Mellieħa was handed a one-year jail sentence for a different traffic accident that also included charges of driving under the influence.

Karl Vella Petroni is currently on bail while court proceedings into the fatal accident that claimed the lives of Faizan Muhammad and Ali Abbas are ongoing.

Vella Petroni is pleading not guilty.

However, that is not the only traffic accident Vella Petroni is being charged over. Four years ago, he crashed into a Mellieħa roundabout and was found with an alcohol level above the prescribed legal limits, Times of Malta reported. He was also suspected to have been driving without a valid license.

All-in-all he was accused of driving under the influence; damaging the electrical equipment, turf shrubs, and kerb; driving with an expired license; and recidivism.

The judgement was delivered today and the Magistrate observed that the number of the vehicle indicated on the breathalyser test did not match that cited in the charges. So, the charges concerning drunk driving were not proven.

Similarly, the quotation racked up for the roundabout damages did not indicate the correct date of the incident. So, the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt when the damages to the roundabout had been caused.

The prosecution also did not produce evidence to prove the recidivism charge.

However, it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that, at the time of the crash, the vehicle was not covered by a valid license; thus condemning Vella Petroni to a one-year jail term.

The court also imposed a one-year driving ban that will come into effect once the accused has served his sentence.

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