Bouncer cleared of causing injury in Paceville fight

Philip Galea, 24, a bouncer in a Paceville club, was today cleared of seriously injuring Klenvin Falzon and slightly injuring Keith Buttigieg and Darrell Micallef in an incident in October 2006.

The court said the men were not victims but took part in the fight that broke out in front of the club.

Mr Galea was also cleared of assaulting the men.

The incident arose after the three men decided to go to the club at around 1.30 a.m. The club has a set of stairs which is divided lengthwise by a metal handrail where people exit from one side and enter from the other.

Mr Buttigieg tried to enter the club from the side where people exited and was asked by another bouncer, Elian Mallia, to go around and enter through the right way.

Mr Buttigieg obeyed but tried to push his way through a queue of people waiting to get into the club.

In his testimony, Mr Galea said he suspected Mr Buttigieg was drunk because he saw him shouting and singing in the road. As a result, he refused to let him in the club and asked him to leave.

A fight then broke out with different versions being given on who threw the first punch.

The fight grew when bouncers from nearby nightclubs gathered round to help their colleague and passers-by got involved.

Mr Buttigieg and Mr Micallef had slight injures but Mr Falzon was seriously injured with a two centimetre gash over his left eye. Mr Galea was also slightly injured and his clothes were torn.

While the two men said they saw Mr Falzon being hit by other bouncers, the court noted that only he accused Mr Galea of punching him.

"The court is not convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that Mr Galea injured Mr Falzon because of the conflicting evidence," Magistrate Edwina Grima said.

Although criminal proceedings were initiated against the three men, the two bouncers said they forgave them, renouncing all criminal action.