Fined €500 for punching neighbour

A 44-year-old Gozitan was yesterday fined €500 (Lm214.59) after he was found guilty of slightly injuring his neighbour in an argument over a parking space.

Peter Paul Buttigieg, from Għasri, was found guilty of slightly injuring Samuel Zahra on December 22, 2006, at 7.30 a.m.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard Mr Buttigieg testify that he had punched Mr Zahra in self-defence. He explained that, after he had asked Mr Zahra to remove his car from in front of his house, Mr Zahra started an argument and tried to attack him.

Taking the witness stand, Mr Zahra told the court that Mr Buttigieg had asked him to remove his car and a cordial exchange ensued.

However, as he was on his way to move the vehicle, he was hit on the head by Mr Buttigieg.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera found that Mr Buttigieg had assaulted Mr Zahra because he had parked in front of his house. She therefore found Mr Buttigieg guilty of the charges brought against him.