A beach attendant and a visiting couple ended up in court after they threw stones at each other in a heated argument over a spot on the beach at Għajn Tuffieħa last Thursday.

Briton Michael Hide, 68, and his 33-year-old Belorussian wife are staying at the Radisson Blu Golden Sands Resort and are being represented by legal aid lawyer Anthony Cutajar.

The beach attendant, Joseph Coleiro, 49, of St Paul’s Bay, got into an argument with the couple over a spot on the beach which they wanted to occupy but where he wanted to place his sun beds.

The argument escalated and they allegedly ended up throwing stones at each other.

During the arraignment of the three of them yesterday, the Hides pleaded not guilty to throwing stones at Mr Coleiro, threatening him and disturbing the peace.

Mr Coleiro, on the other hand, admitted to slightly injuring Mr Hide, threatening the couple, provoking them and breaching the peace.

Mr Coleiro’s defence lawyer Charmaine Cherrett told the court that her client had apologised to the couple who then told the court that they accepted the apology.

The beach attendant then said he wanted to withdraw the criminal proceedings against the couple.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli conditionally discharged Mr Coleiro for six months.

Police Inspector Edmond Cuschieri prosecuted while lawyer Franco Debono also appeared for Mr Coleiro.

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