Cleared of biting man's ear

A Qormi man was yesterday cleared of seriously injuring a man in the ear during a fight after a magistrate ruled that evidence showed he acted in self defence.

Moreover, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera ruled that it had not been proven that George Briffa had caused the injury to Saverio Cardona's ear.

Briffa, 56, of Qormi was cleared of seriously injuring Cardona in Qormi on February 27, 2002.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera heard Cardona explain that on the day of the incident he had waited outside Briffa's house in Qormi because Briffa had had an affair with his wife. When Briffa walked outside the two men ended up in a fight during which, Cardona said, Briffa bit his ear.

Briffa confirmed that the two fought outside his house but said he did not know how Cardona had been injured in the ear. Briffa explain that the injury could have happened while they were on the ground but added that he never intended to injure Cardona.

Police Inspector Raymond D'Anastas prosecuted.

Dr Robert Abela appeared for Briffa and Dr Richard Sladden represented Cardona.