A local warden and a learning support assistant were asked to shake hands in court today after a scuffle outside a school on Wednesday which led to two trade unions issuing statements condemning the incident.

LSA Antoine Cachia, 26 of Naxxar and warden Gary Mercieca, 19 of Fgura were arraigned separately and both said they had forgiven each other. Magistrate Antonio Vella asked them to shake hands in order for him to believe their statement.

The warden admitted to assaulting the LSA, slightly injuring him and insulting and threatening him. He also admitted committing a crime which he was duty bound to prevent.

The LSA pleaded guilty to assaulting the warden and attempted serious bodily harm, damaging his equipment, insulting him and driving dangerously.

Mr Cachia was handed a two-month prison term suspended for two years while the warden was conditionally discharged for two years.

Sources close to the case said that Mr Cachia drove up a one way street to enter the school parking lot. He had always used the same entrance but by the time he arrived yesterday the warden had closed the road. The LSA insisted on being allowed in and the warden warned him that if he proceeded, he would fine him.

The LSA drove on anyway and the warden began to type in the ticket while the LSA went upstairs to ask the headmaster to intervene on his behalf. The headmaster refused and the LSA went back downstairs. He knocked the computer from the warden's hand and the warden then assaulted the LSA.

The LSA got into his car and drove around the warden in an attempt to scare him. He however lost control and smashed into a wall.