Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541608
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS Valletta crash: Urine analysis confirms excessive alcohol levels in Benjamin Chetcuti's system A urine sample analysis of Ben- jamin Chetcuti measured the urine alcohol concentration to be 360mg per 100ml, revealing that the accused had consumed exceptionally high amounts of alcohol on the day of the fatal Valletta incident which claimed the life of Mildred Azzopardi. On Tuesday, Godwin Sam- mut, the court medical expert who conducted a toxicologi- cal analysis of the urine sam- ple taken from the accused in relation to the fatal incident testified on his findings during Tuesday's sitting. The witnesses' report con- cluded that the urine sample tested positive for alcohol, confirmed by a urine alcohol concentration of 360mg per 100ml at the time of sampling, indicating a high level of intox- ication positive for alcohol. The sample tested negative for all illicit substances. Police constable Jonathan Steady further testified that while on scene, he request- ed the accused to undergo a breathalyser test, which yield- ed a positive result. This result was subsequently corroborated by the urine analysis conducted by Sammut. He confirmed that Chetcuti abided by orders and immediately agreed to undergo the test. Chetcuti, a 23-year-old sol- dier from Paola, was charged with the involuntary homicide of Mildred Azzopardi. The mother-of-four died after be- ing caught in between two cars after a collision in Xatt il-Barri- era, Valletta. He was also charged with in- voluntarily injuring a man, the husband of Mildred Azzopardi, drink-driving, reckless driving, speeding, driving without in- surance, as well as committing an offence which he was du- ty-bound to prevent. He was also accused of invol- untarily damaging the car he drove, which did not belong to him, and damaging two cars as well as two motorcycles. The case was adjourned to 13 January at 10:00am. The case is being heard by Magistrate Do- natella Frendo Dimech. MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt Benjamin Chetcuti (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) PA turns down attempt to sanction illegal Birgu kiosks THE Planning Authority has refused an application to reg- ularise two kiosks and outdoor seating in the historic Birgu ditch. The kiosks and seating area are situated below the Birgu Bastions along Kalkara Creek and were set up without per- mission. The application presented by the Birgu Regatta Club was op- posed by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage which had expressed "grave concern" on the unauthorised installa- tion of these kiosks and tents within this sensitive area. The PA's Development and Management Directorate had also recommended a refusal based on the SCH's objection. Three months ago the Plan- ning Commission had accepted the Birgu Regatta Club's re- quest to postpone the decision by three months, allowing more time for discussions with the objecting authorities. But the case officer noted that no new plans had been presented to ad- dress the original concerns. In a report issued in June, the Development Management Directorate had described the application as "objectionable in principle" and recommended outright refusal. The directorate cited policy breaches and the visual impact on scheduled fortifications as reasons for its objections. In a case officer report meant to guide the Planning Commis- sion, the directorate had also flagged a large tented structure for which a temporary permit issued to the local council ex- pired in January 2025. Since the applicants were not seeking to sanction the tent, the direc- torate said the application ran counter to regulations requir- ing all illegalities on site to be addressed before any develop- ment can be approved. The case officer also agreed with the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage which had expressed "grave concern" warning that sanctioning the kiosks would negatively affect the setting and legibility of the scheduled fortifications. The kiosks, the officer noted, add to the visual clutter of the area. The proposal also fails to meet kiosk policies, among them the limitations on footprint (20sq.m) and height (2.5m). The kiosks in question occupy roughly 60sq.m and are 3.41m high. Crucially, policies prohibit the placement of tables and chairs directly adjacent to kiosks. Given these breaches, the di- rectorate concluded there was no need to request revisions from the applicant's architect, stating that the proposal is "ob- jectionable in principle." JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt The kiosk in Birgu