A 24-year-old Syrian national has been handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for one year and fined €3,000 after admitting to hitting a motorcyclist in Ħamrun and fleeing the scene while driving without a licence or insurance.

Ayd Hamad Fares, who resides in Ħamrun and works in the plastering industry, was arraigned under arrest before the Court of Magistrates on Thursday, following the incident on Wednesday evening.

The court heard that on 14 October, at around 9pm, police received a report of a traffic accident in Triq il-Kbira San Ġużepp, Ħamrun, involving a motorcycle and a car.

According to the prosecution, a white Volkswagen had struck a motorcyclist before its driver continued driving without stopping to assist the injured man.

The impact caused the motorcyclist to end up on the pavement, where he sustained slight injuries.

Police subsequently identified the vehicle involved as a Volkswagen and traced its registered owner.

When questioned, the owner informed officers that he had not been driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, explaining that he had lent it to a friend of Syrian nationality.

Investigators also analysed CCTV footage of the incident as part of their efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The injured motorcyclist was taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was conscious and able to provide police with his account of what had happened.

The court heard that both drivers tested negative when subjected to breathalyser tests.

Following further investigations, police summoned both the vehicle's owner and Fares to the police station.

Fares was subsequently arrested and, during questioning, admitted his involvement in the incident.

Police also established that the accused did not possess a valid driving licence and was not covered by an insurance policy. The court was further informed that he was not authorised to be in Malta.

Fares faced eight charges, including causing slight injuries to the motorcyclist through negligent driving, fleeing the scene of an accident involving personal injury, and speeding.

He was also charged with driving without a licence or third-party insurance, reckless or dangerous driving, causing damage to third-party property, and failing to stop following a traffic accident.

During Thursday's arraignment, Fares pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.

The court sentenced him to six months' imprisonment suspended for one year and imposed a €3,000 fine.

He was also disqualified from obtaining a driving licence for one year and is set to be deported from Malta.

Police Inspector Clive Abela prosecuted, while legal aid lawyer Thomas Sant represented the accused.

Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici presided over the sitting.