A man was conditionally discharged for 18 months yesterday after pleading guilty to paying in order to pass the theory section of his driving test.

The court heard how 20-year-old John Paul Chetcuti did not manage to pass the theory examination in order to obtain his driver’s licence. His instructor referred him to Swallow Garage so he could pass his theory test, for which he paid Lm50.

In its submissions on punishment, the defence counsels said that the people who were found guilty of accepting these bribes had been given a conditional discharge and that the court should apply the same section of the law in this case too.

Magistrate Anthony Vella upheld this request and conditionally discharged Chetcuti for 18 months.

Police Inspector Angelo Gafa prosecuted while Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Veronique Dalli appeared for the accused.