Stefan Scotto, 34, who had been accused of trying to seriously injure a man during a road rage incident in 2004, was cleared of the charges brought against him after a court ruled yesterday he was merely trying to escape his attacker.

Mr Scotto and Paul Genovese were involved in an argument in Worker's Street, limits of Marsa, on October 12, 2004 after Mr Genovese recklessly overtook Mr Scotto, the court noted. Mr Scotto admitted to having sounded the horn one too many times but denied that he had hurled insults at Mr Genovese.

Mr Genovese pulled over and approached Mr Scotto, breaking one of his car's side mirrors, the court judgment said. Mr Scotto then reversed hitting Mr Genovese in the process. Mr Scotto said he had reversed in order to escape Mr Genovese's wrath.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman said she could not but clear Mr Scotto of the charges. If Mr Genovese got hurt he had only himself to blame, she said.