Defendant found guilty of negligent driving, driving without a licence, and driving uninsured after reversing into another vehicle at a Żejtun petrol station.
Court of Magistrates (Malta) as a Court of Criminal Judicature · Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici · 7 May 2026
On 27 May 2023 at around 4:40 p.m., Glenn Seychell reversed his Peugeot vehicle (BBQ-143) into a stationary car (KDM-657) belonging to Jason Azzopardi while both were queuing at the J. Micallef petrol station in Triq tal-Barrani, Żejtun. Azzopardi reported that Seychell acknowledged the damage on the day and promised to cover repairs, but never followed through, prompting Azzopardi to file a police report nearly two weeks later on 11 June 2023. The damage to Azzopardi's Citroën C3 Picasso was assessed at €2,018.90. Police investigations quickly revealed that Seychell had no valid driving licence on the date of the incident, a fact confirmed by Transport Malta's representative, Kenneth Pace, who produced system records showing no licence was registered in Seychell's name. A representative of Gasan Mamo Insurance testified that although vehicle BBQ-143 was covered by a policy in Seychell's name, that policy expressly excluded coverage when the driver held no valid driving licence — meaning Seychell was effectively uninsured at the time. The defence argued that the charge failed because the collision occurred within the petrol station and not on Triq tal-Barrani itself, and also suggested Seychell might hold a foreign licence. The court rejected both arguments. On the address point, it noted the charge clearly stated the incident occurred at the petrol station situated on Triq tal-Barrani. On the foreign licence point, it applied Article 3(1A) of Chapter 104, which places the burden of proof on the accused to demonstrate valid insurance coverage — a burden Seychell failed to discharge. The court found all three charges proved beyond reasonable doubt. It cited established Maltese appellate authority defining negligent driving as any departure from the standard of a reasonable, prudent, experienced driver, and the Highway Code's specific rules on reversing, including the duty to check all mirrors and blind spots before moving backwards. The court also invoked the "proper lookout" principle, noting that Seychell plainly failed to ensure the path behind him was clear before reversing.
Glenn Seychell found guilty on all three charges: (1) negligent driving causing damage to Jason Azzopardi's vehicle; (2) driving without a licence issued by Transport Malta; (3) driving without third-party insurance cover. Sentenced to a total fine of €2,700. Disqualified from all driving licences for 12 months from the day after judgment. Five penalty points imposed pursuant to Article 36B and the Sixth Schedule of Subsidiary Legislation 65.18.
Criminal Code Ch. 9 Art. 328(d) — negligent driving; Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act Ch. 104 Art. 3(1) and 3(1A) — driving uninsured; Traffic Regulation Ordinance Ch. 65 Art. 15(1)(a) — driving without licence, Art. 15(3) — disqualification; Subsidiary Legislation 65.18 Art. 36B and Sixth Schedule — penalty points