A magistrate has cleared a man of perjury after hearing how a dispute between family members led to conflicting evidence. 

Joseph Camilleri, 54, from Naxxar, had been charged with lying under oath during proceedings against a relative, Giuseppe Camilleri, who had been charged with dangerous driving. 

Proceedings against Joseph Camilleri began after Giuseppe Camilleri complained that the former had given false evidence in court. 

The family feud began in 2010 when Jacqueline Camilleri filed a police report in which she claimed that Giuseppe Camilleri, her husband's uncle, almost hit her and her children while she was walking home. She claimed that he was driving dangerously and at excessive speed, almost hitting her and her two children. 

Subsequently, Giuseppe Camilleri was charged with dangerous driving. 

In court, Joseph Camilleri testified and corroborated Jacqueline Camilleri's version, saying he had witnessed the close call. 

But Giuseppe Camilleri gave a contradicting version, saying that Jacqueline Camilleri was alone that day and was walking on the path leading to his farmhouse. He said he just opened the gate and drove in and did not see Joseph Camilleri at any time. 

Giuseppe Camilleri's wife and daughters, who were in the same car that day, said that the vehicle was not being driven at excessive speed as was being claimed. They also said that they had not seen Joseph Camilleri there. 

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera noted that this case revolved around the credibility of witnesses who testified in the case. She noted that there was a long-standing dispute between Giuseppe and Joseph Camilleri. 

However, she ruled that there was not enough evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Joseph Camilleri had lied under oath and therefore cleared him of the charge. 

Lucio Sciriha and Robert Piscopo were defence lawyers.