Updated: Gudja man acquitted of attempted murder -- found guilty of injuring son-in-law

Innocent Farrugia, 64, of Gudja, was today acquitted of the attempted murder of his son-in-law when he stabbed his son-in-law in the neck five years ago. He was, however, found guilty of seriously injuring him in an act of self-defence.

The verdict was returned after a two-day trial by jury which acquitted Mr Farrugia of the most serious charge with six votes in favour and three against.

Mr Farrugia was jailed for two years suspended for four years.

Mr Caruana in evidence yesterday, told the court that he had forgiven his father-in-law for what he had done.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius had testified that the incident took place a day after Mr Caruana's wife, Suzanne, left their matrimonial home after having seen her husband in the company of a prostitute in Marsa.

It was alleged that Mr Caruana blocked Mr Farrugia's his van in Gudja and the two came to blows.

Mr Farrugia insisted it was Mr Caruana who attacked him with a knife and he managed to wrestle the knife away from him and hit him in self-defence.

Mr Caruana explained that problems with his father-in-law began after his wife thought he had met a prostitute, when he was in Marsa only because of his work as a plasterer.