A Briton who was beaten 13 times on the head yesterday described how the incident was sparked off when one of his alleged aggressors ignored a stop sign and almost crashed into a car being driven by his father.
Gary Cooper, 29, said he was in a rented car together with his father Terrence, his mother Maureen and his sister Michelle. They were driving down a road in St Paul’s Bay three weeks ago when Noel Falzon, 21, darted out from a side street in a black Volkswagen Passat. His passenger was Anthony Muscat, 19.
Mr Cooper took the witness stand in the case against Mr Falzon and Mr Muscat who were originally charged with his attempted murder. The prosecution withdrew that charge yesterday after Police Inspector Therese Sciberras said the charge could not be proven. They still stand charged with seriously injuring the Briton.
Terrence Cooper, his daughter Michelle and son Gary were charged with seriously injuring Mr Falzon last week but the first two were acquitted and Gary Cooper was conditionally discharged for a month.
Yesterday, the witness said his father was angry and gave the men the middle finger and drove off. However, they soon noticed that the men were following them and at one point came side by side and began spitting at him, Mr Cooper said.
As they arrived at the Mosta Road junction, the men cornered the family’s car and the passenger identified as Mr Muscat got out and threw a full bottle of water at the car, he said.
Mr Cooper added that he got out of the car because he saw Mr Muscat approach it and thought he was going to attack since he was very aggressive and “going crazy” swearing.
Mr Muscat began beating him on the head and at that point, the driver of the car identified as Mr Falzon got out and also started beating him up. His father and sister tried to pull his aggressors off but Mr Falzon turned and punched his sister in the face.
During cross-examination by defence lawyer Gianella Caruana Curran, Mr Cooper said he had three small lagers during dinner but that was all. When asked what the middle finger gesture could signify, Mr Cooper said it was an insult but did not know what it meant.
The case continues.