A man who was given two tickets by a warden when he parked his car momentarily to open his garage door was yesterday conditionally discharged by the court on pleading guilty to damaging the warden's car.

Raymond Mamo, 42, of Balzan, was accused of damaging a warden's car in Qormi on Wednesday afternoon.

Defence lawyer Martin Fenech told the court his client had parked the car close to a corner and went to open his garage door. A warden came over and booked him for parking illegally and when he protested he was booked again for leaving the car window open.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna said he did not know that leaving the window of a car open was an offence. Dr Fenech said there had been cases where cars parked in such a way, even in private areas such as a drive in, were booked.

The motor vehicles regulations lay down that a driver has to have total control of the car and should not leave it unattended in a way that it can be moved by others.

Magistrate Apap Bologna took into consideration that the accused was willing to make good for damages caused to the warden's car and that he had excused himself.

"In no way is any form of violence justified but a conditional discharge is warranted given the circumstances of the case," the magistrate ruled. Police Inspector Jesmond J. Borg prosecuted.