Samuel Azzopardi this evening said that he has been reinstated as the Mayor of Victoria, Gozo and he apologised unreservedly for his actions, which saw him being found guilty earlier this week of driving under the influence last April.
In a statement, Azzopardi apologised unreservedly for his "mistake". He said, "I understand that my conduct was wrong and the fact that there were no serious consequences as a result of my actions in no way justifies what I did."
He said the incident has served as an important lesson to him and that he would commit himself in his public life to raising awareness on the adverse effects of alcohol.
He said that while the court had found him guilty of two offences, that of drunk driving and another of refusing a breathalyzer test, the court also noted that he had shown regret and that his contribution to politics should not be hindered as a result.
Azzopardi thanked the Nationalist Party, which, he said, has given him the chance to play a public role once again. He also thanked his fellow Nationalist Victoria councillors, in particular Deputy Mayor Josef Schembri who had taken over Azzopardi's role as mayor in his absence. Such gestures, he said, had also taught him important life lessons.
The case dates back to 17 April, at around 1am on Mgarr Street, Gozo, where Mr Azzopardi, 33, was driving a Toyota while returning home from a wedding. He was charged with reckless driving, causing involuntary harm to a vehicle belonging to Nancy Grima, causing slight injury and damage to the vehicle belonging to Emanuel Grech, driving under the influence and twice refusing a breathalyser despite the police explaining the consequences of such a move.
In its judgement, the Courts held that this incident should not take away from his political, cultural and social work. Instead, it was observed that Mr Azzopardi should look to the future and warn others about the dangers of drinking, even on a social level.
He was fined €2,000 and given a six-month driving ban.
In a statement of its own, the Nationalist Party aid that in view of his public apology and since the courts in sentencing had said his mistake should not interfere with Azzopardi's contribution to public life, the party had called on its Victoria councillors to support his reappointment as mayor, a post from which he had stepped down when charged.
The PN thanked the Victoria councillors, in particular Joseph Schembri, who served as mayor in Azzopardi's stead for two months.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1UdQ0wC
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