Car hire company director cleared of assault

A director of John’s Garage has been acquitted of seriously injuring a man after the police failed to prove he had caused the injury.

Christopher Farrugia, 32, of Sta Venera, had been charged with seriously injuring Howard Debono, 40, on August 27, 2007 at the garage in Ħamrun after Mr Debono confronted him about SMSs Mr Farrugia allegedly sent to his wife.

On the witness stand, Mr Debono said he had gone to Mr Farrugia’s office to confront him about the suspicious messages. Mr Farrugia asked to speak to him outside and then hit him, he claimed.

In his own testimony, Mr Farrugia denied hitting the other man. Following the argument, during which he was shouted and sworn at, he immediately filed a police report, he said.

In her ruling, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli said Mr Farrugia’s version was corroborated by that of another two men who were present during the incident.

She was faced with two conflicting versions of events, she said. Furthermore, the victim only reported the incident to the police after they had asked him to come down to the station to speak to them.

The medical certificate presented by the victim was issued some four days after the incident. The doctor, Jonathan Joslin, said Mr Debono had a hairline fracture in his skull which, however, could also have been caused by sleeping “in an incorrect position”.

Taking these factors into consideration, the magistrate acquitted Mr Farrugia.

Lawyer Joe Mifsud (not the former Malta Football Association president) appeared for the accused.