Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1422293
8 ANALYSIS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 OCTOBER 2021 'Not a single piece of evidence': Man cleared of ice cream factory theft Kia global ambassador Rafael Nadal will increase use of electrical vehicles with new EV6 crossover TENNIS legend Rafael Nadal this week signaled his commit- ment to promote ecofriendly mobility by increasing the use of Kia's first dedicated EV, the new EV6 crossover, at a hando- ver ceremony at the Rafa Nadal Academy in his Spanish home- town of Manacor, Mallorca. At the event, Nadal was pro- vided with a customized EV6 GT-Line as a demonstration of the two longstanding partners' shared vision for creating a bet- ter world and to inspire a new generation of drivers to embrace electric mobility. The ceremony followed the European launch of the EV6 crossover and served to highlight Kia's new brand purpose – "Movement that in- spires." In line with the commitment, Nadal will actively use the EV6 crossover for his personal mobil- ity in Mallorca as well as at ma- jor tennis tournaments such as the 2022 Australian Open. Fur- thermore, he has expressed his interest to convert all vehicles used at the Rafa Nadal Academy and Rafa Nadal Foundation to electric vehicles by 2022. "My job naturally requires a lot of travel, and my lifestyle is not fully sustainable. But I'm deter- mined to make the necessary changes where I can, starting with my personal use of the EV6 crossover in Mallorca and be- yond," said Nadal at the event. "I feel lucky to have the support of Kia and the new EV6 that will help drive my commitment. I would like to encourage others to join me in driving these kind of vehicles wherever possible." The ceremony was illuminat- ed by a tennis court, dubbed the "EV6 Court," whose lighting sys- tem was electrically powered by a customized EV6 GT-Line. The first dedicated electrified cross- over vehicle by Kia boasts an advanced V2L (vehicle-to-load) function and serves as a porta- ble, self-generating power sup- ply. "We at Kia strongly believe in our ethos that movement in- spires ideas. The EV6 is the mod- el that embodies this new brand ethos of ours, and we feel privi- leged to have Rafa on our team as our global brand ambassador for the past 15 years," said Artur Martins, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia's Global Brand and Customer Experience Divi- sion. "He is not only one of the greatest athletes in history but an icon of inspiration who con- stantly strives to make a positive impact in the world through his diverse social contribution activ- ities." The EV6 crossover was launched to play a key role in Kia's new vision to offer acces- sible, sustainable and innova- tive mobility solutions to people around the world. It represents a pioneering solution for future electrified mobility and aims to elevate the industry standard at a time the automotive world at large is quickly transitioning toward full electrification. The EV6's vehicle-to-load (V2L) function demonstrated at the EV6 Court of the Rafa Nad- al Academy can supply up to 3.6KW of electricity and be used conveniently as a portable pow- er supply for leisure and other everyday activities. For more information contact the Kia Showroom, in Mdina road, Qormi. Tel: 22692000. MATTHEW AGIUS A man has been cleared of any in- volvement in a robbery at a Zejtun ice cream factory seven years ago after a court ruled that there was not a single piece of evidence linking him to the crime. Stephen Borg, 43, had been named by two men who had admitted to the robbery, telling the police that Borg had entered the factory premises on 8 September, 2014. Around €12,100 worth of items and cash were stolen, with the po- lice being told that between €4,000 and €5,000 in cash as well as CCTV equipment, were found to be missing after the burglary, in which the front door was forced open. Forensics officers had recovered fingerprints found on aluminum sur- faces at the garage where ice cream vans were parked for the night. The owner of the factory later told the police that much of the stolen cash had been returned to him via a priest. He identified a suspect who con- fessed to his involvement in the crime and named another man and Borg as accomplices, during interrogation. Borg was subsequently charged with aggravated theft and breaching four bail decrees. The court was told that localisation data from his mobile phone placed him at the crime scene just after mid- night that night and that Borg had tested positive for drugs at the time. But the court also saw that a finger- print expert had confirmed that none of the three fingerprints found at the crime scene matched those of the ac- cused. The other two men convicted of the theft had never been summoned to testify in Borg's case and his mobile phone number and localisation were never confirmed in court. The prosecution had instead sum- moned witnesses who did not know and had never laid eyes on the ac- cused, said the court. Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit highlighted a "serious lack of evi- dence" in this case, observing that Borg had not been seen at the crime scene and there were no fingerprints or CCTV footage linking him to the place. She went on to say that it was the duty of the prosecution to pro- duce sufficient evidence in order to convince the courts. In view of the fact that there was not a single piece of evidence supporting the charges, the court declared Borg not guilty of all charges. Lawyer David Gatt appeared for Borg. A pensioner from Marsaskala will be held at Mount Carmel Hospital after he was charged with harassing and stalking a former partner. The 65 year-old man was arraigned before magistrate Doreen Clarke earlier today, ac- cused of stalking, harassment and repeatedly breaching bail conditions that he had only re- cently been placed under for similar offences. The accused was also charged with breaching a protection order and damaging a car be- longing to the woman's current partner. The man pleaded not guilty. Inspector Sherona Buhagiar told the court that the man had been arrested on October 8th and granted bail that same day. He was re-arrested on 20th October after allegedly stalking the woman again. On that occasion he had asked for psychiatric assistance, being sent to Mount Carmel Hospital under obser- vation. He was on police bail for a time, said the inspector. His lawyer, Ishmael Psaila, argued that no bail would be requested at this stage, in view of the accused's medical treatment, in his own interest. The court ordered the man be remanded in custody. Pensioner charged with harassing, stalking ex-partner Man cleared of any involvement in a robbery at a Zejtun ice cream factory seven years ago