A man was conditionally discharged for three years today after being convicted of injuring a policeman, Etienne Grima, during the Santa Marija feast in Gudja on August 15, 2009.

The court heard that the accused, Alessio Barbara, 60 of Gudja, had assaulted the officer and caused him a permanent dislocation of his shoulder. He also damaged his wrist watch and damaged a balustrade belonging to La Stella Band Club.

The incident happened when a number of people in the club were not allowed out of the premises while a rival band marched past, an arrangement agreed between the two clubs.

However a number of men still insisted that they wanted to walk out of a club. They argued with a policeman who was posted outside to stop them. PC Grima went to the constable’s assistance and was pushed down a number of steps in front of the club, crashing into the balustrade. He was hospitalised.

Apart from the conditional discharge, Barbara was also ordered to pay €240 to the police officer to compensate him for the damage to his watch and €221 for the damages caused to the club.