Deal ends with judo move

A real estate agent who floored an angry client with a judo move four years ago was yesterday given a suspended jail term.

The client had phoned in threatening the agent over a promise of sale agreement that had been pending for two years. When he arrived at the agent's Dhalia office in Birkirkara, a scuffle ensued and 44-year-old Warren Azzopardi literally swept him off his feet and punched him a few times.

According to Mr Azzopardi, the client, Joe Borg, swore at him over the phone and even threatened to cut him with a knife. When he arrived at the office he started knocking angrily on the glass door.

The agent went outside and said that at that point Mr Borg tried to bite him on his face. Mr Azzopardi knocked him over, punched and kicked him once or twice as he tried to get up because he was scared of him.

The client gave a different version of events, saying Mr Azzopardi had provoked him. He admitted he had head-butted him to push him away.

Medical doctor Dino Vella testified that the victim had suffered trauma to his nose, three chipped teeth and concussion.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano said there was no excuse for the way Mr Azzopardi had acted towards Mr Borg even if there were verbal threats and the alleged head butt.

The court handed down a nine-month jail term suspended for three years.