A 21-year-old was yesterday conditionally discharged for two years, fined Lm1,000 and barred from obtaining a driving licence for one year after pleading guilty to seriously injuring a woman while driving another person’s car.

Gerold Vassalo, from Paola, pleaded guilty to seriously injuring a 59-year-old woman and slightly injuring a 58-year-old woman on Tuesday in Hamrun due to negligence.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and valid insurance cover, dangerously and negligently. The charge of stealing a Toyota Vitz was dropped after the court, presided over by Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, heard the accused’s girlfriend testify that the vehicle was hers and that she forgave him for taking it.

The court fined the accused Lm1,000 and conditionally discharged him for two years. The presiding magistrate also barred the accused from obtaining a driving licence for one year. Police Inspector Nezren Grixti prosecuted while Dr Michael Sciriha appeared for the accused.