A man who led police on a dangerous high-speed chase through Gżira, injuring a 71-year-old pedestrian and attempting to run down police officers, has been sentenced to four years in prison following a prolonged court case linked to a 2011 incident.

Sean Zammit was found guilty of multiple offences, including reckless driving, attempting to grievously injure police officers, breaching bail conditions, and driving without a licence or insurance. His co-accused, Loriana Abdilla, was also convicted for her role during the arrest.

The court heard how, on 20 December 2011 at around 11.30am, Mobile Squad officers spotted Zammit driving a BMW despite being disqualified from driving. When officers ordered him to stop, Zammit sped off, ignoring traffic lights and driving at speed through narrow residential streets, including against traffic flow.

The pursuit came to an end when roadworks forced the vehicle to stop. However, the situation escalated when Zammit reversed aggressively towards police officers before mounting the pavement and crashing into parked cars.

During the incident, the BMW struck pedestrian Josephine Cesare as she was crossing the road. Medical evidence confirmed that the elderly woman suffered a fractured fibula, which the court classified as a grievous injury.

Police testimony described how Zammit then exited the vehicle and became violent, while Abdilla and another passenger attempted to interfere with officers during the arrest. Two police officers sustained slight injuries in the struggle.

The court accepted the prosecution's version of events, supported by eyewitness accounts, medical reports, Transport Malta documentation and forensic photographs. Defence claims that police conduct contributed to the incident were dismissed, with the court noting Zammit's "complete disregard" for public safety and lawful instructions.

While the magistrate ruled that there was no proof Zammit intended to cause permanent injury to the victim, the court held that the grievous harm resulted from his reckless and negligent driving. It also found that he had attempted to grievously injure police officers by reversing towards them at speed, an act halted only by circumstances beyond his control.

Zammit was additionally convicted of fleeing the scene, damaging a police vehicle, driving without insurance or a licence, and committing offences while under suspended sentences. Abdilla was found guilty of resisting and insulting police officers in the course of their duties.

Presiding magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace described the case as one marked by persistent criminal behaviour, aggravated by repeat offending, and noted the significant delays that caused the proceedings to span more than a decade.