A motorist acted in self-defence when he punched a man after a traffic accident in Gżira six years ago, a court ruled.

Ivan Bajada, 36, from Swatar had been charged with trying to kill Anthony Spiteri and breaching the peace in Gżira on February 19, 2006.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard the prosecuting officer, Police Inspector Daniel Zammit, explain that investigations showed that Mr Bajada had stopped his car by the side of a road in Gżira to buy something. His girlfriend, Claire Borg, remained in the car.

Sometime later, Mr Bajada heard his girlfriend shout at a man who had driven past the car, hit it and kept driving.

Mr Bajada ran out and followed the car, driven by Mr Spiteri. As Mr Spiteri was driving at a slow speed, Mr Bajada caught up with him and said he would call a traffic warden. Mr Spiteri, who looked drunk, started threatening the couple and acting aggressively.

Mr Bajada punched Mr Spiteri who fell down, hit his head and started bleeding.

Mr Bajada insisted that he did not hit Mr Spiteri hard. In addition, Mr Bajada said he and his girlfriend had administered first aid when Mr Spiteri was bleeding.

In his testimony Mr Spiteri gave different versions about where he had been that night and how much had he drank.

Lawyers Lucio Sciriha and Michael Sciriha represented Mr Bajada.