The Romanian man found guilty of causing the death of a Sudanese man in Paceville in 2012 has appealed his sentence, claiming that the first court had misinterpreted the law and failed to explain to jurors his plea of self defence.

Antonel Dobre, 29, is serving seven years in jail - down from a maximum of 20 years - after a panel of jurors found that he had been provoked when he pushed the victim.

Mr Dobre was found guilty after a trial by jury, of causing the death of Al Shazliay Saleh at around 6am on March 17, 2012, when he hit him in the face and grounded him. He hit his head, suffered a brain haemorrhage and died three days later.

Mr Dobre claimed Mr Saleh had elbowed his Romanian friend in the nose while they were in a Paceville club and he was protecting his friend when the Mr Saleh approached them again outside later.

Through his lawyer, Roberto Montalto, Mr Dobre is claiming that the presiding judge, Antonio Mizzi, had misinterpreted the law on excusable offences.

Moreover, the lawyer claimed, Mr Justice Mizzi failed to explain, in detail, the defence's line of defence of self defence.

He therefore called on the Appeals Court to cancel the verdict and reform the sentence and find Mr Dobre not guilty of the charges brought against him.