Man shot at by minister's driver charged with damaging minister's car, drink driving

Stephen Smith, the man whose car was allegedly shot at by the driver of former Home Affairs Minister, was today charged with damaging the minister’s car and driving while under the influence of alcohol. Mr Smith is pleading not guilty to breaching several traffic regulations as well as threatening a police officer on duty on November 19. Today Superintendent Alexandra Mamo, stationed at the Sliema police station, said that on November 19 at about 9.11pm she was informed that there had been accident involving the driver of Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia. She was told it was a hit and run and that the driver - PC Paul Sheehan – fired two shots and Rapid Intervention Unit officers had arrested the person involved. It turned out that this person, Mr Smith, was taken to the Sliema police station and his car was to be taken to the police garage. She gave instructions not to move the car but, when she arrived on site near the tunnel close to the Msida skate park, the car was already on the police low loader. Mr Smith was taken to the St Julian’s police station where he refused to take a breathalyser test. Later, at the Msida police station, he took the test that marked...