Man cleared of attacking policeman

A 21-year-old from Attard accused of attacking a police officer walked free yesterday after the court ruled that the prosecution had not managed to prove the charge.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera said the prosecution had not even managed to prove that John Borg had actually tried to attack the officer.

Inspector Kevin Farrugia testified that he had a report by the officer involved saying the accused and another youngster had approached him, on a motorbike, while they were on their way to the Trade Fair in Naxxar. The officer tried to stop them from going through a particular road and they resisted. The accused then punched the officer in the face, the inspector said.

He was taken to the Mosta health centre where he was treated for slight injuries.

But Mr Borg, although admitting to being in the road, denied having an issue with the officer and attacking him.

The court said it was not convinced that the accused had in fact hit the police officer.