A Maltese white-taxi driver has been remanded in custody after allegedly punching a Y-plate driver outside the Virtù Ferries terminal in a row over work.
Charles Aquilina, 57, from Fgura, appeared before Magistrate Abigail Critien on 30 September 2026 and pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and threatening violence. Prosecutors say the clash was at about 10.30pm on 28 September. Aquilina, in a white taxi, allegedly accused the Y-plate driver of taking his work, then punched him in the face, leaving a laceration classed as grievous on the medical certificate.
Bail was refused. The prosecution cited the seriousness of the charges, a risk of evidence tampering, and that the victim and four eyewitnesses — described as colleagues of the accused — had yet to testify. Defence lawyer Roberto Montalto said Aquilina did not know the victim and offered that he stay away from the terminal until witnesses gave evidence. The court rejected bail.
Times of Malta, Newsbook, MaltaToday and TVM all report the same core facts. White taxis are rank-based licensed cabs; Y-plates are pre-booked app and private-hire style services. Trade tension over scarce terminal work is the backdrop; guilt is not established.