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PHILIPSBURG--Civil servant K.R. (46), who is accused of driving under the influence, reckless driving and causing an accident while under a driving ban, will learn his fate on Wednesday, November 19.

The incidents allegedly had taken place during and after a three-car accident on W.T.A. Nisbeth Road near Kam's Foodworld during the evening hours of March 28.

The head of the New Projects, Development and Planning Department confessed he had consumed three glasses of wine during the reception at the opening of the new artificial grass outfield at St. Maarten Little League field on Pond Island. However, he denied he was drunk and said the accident was caused due to a moment of carelessness.

Two police officers at the scene, who were heard as witnesses in the case on Wednesday, had noticed that R. was unsteady on his feet and had alcohol on his breath. They took his car keys and imposed a driving ban until 6:00 the next morning.

At a certain moment, R. managed to retrieve his car keys and allegedly drove off at high speed, during which he almost knocked over a pedestrian and ignored a red light.

Both officers testified that R. had been very drunk and had displayed "unruly" behaviour.

According to other witnesses, he allegedly had said that as a civil servant he would have been above the law and had proclaimed he was a close friend of Theo Heyliger. He had also attempted to kiss one of the victims in the traffic accident, which had caused considerable damage, it was stated.

In another statement which was read by the Judge, a witness declared R. had offered him money to testify for him.

During a previous hearing, held on October 15, R. had presented four witnesses in Court, his brother among them, to build his case.

Prosecutor Maarten Noordzij considered the allegations proven and requested two months suspended, a six-month driving ban, payment of NAf. 2,000 in fines, and mandatory alcohol-addiction treatment at Turning Point.

The Judge said it seemed that the defendant had an alcohol problem and added there was only one remedy: cutting the habit.

R. denied all charges and attorney-at-law Shaira Bommel elaborately pleaded for his full acquittal, including the reckless-driving charges. She said the accident was caused by a moment of inattentiveness and said he had left the scene as he was confused.

She also claimed that her client was taken to the police station for no reason and contested the statements concerning R.'s alleged drunkenness, as no blood or breath tests had been taken.

The lawyer was also critical of a number of witness statements for the prosecution, which, she said, had "suddenly" been added to the file.