A man was spared a long jail term after his son who he almost killed when he reversed his BMW onto him refused to testify against his father. 

Blasio Buttigieg, 47, from Kirkop but originally a Gozitan, was cleared of attempting to murder his 17-year-old son at 5pm on November 7, 2013. He was also cleared of slightly injuring the boy and of driving negligently and in a dangerous manner. 

The court heard how the father and son had a heated argument that led them to the police station, where they had gone to file reports against each other. However, the pair left the Birzebbuga police station without filing any report. 

The teenager left on his bicycle while the man left with his BMW. Some time later, the father was still angry at his son so he went to look for him. He spotted him resting against a wall in the road between Birzebbuga and Hal Far and he drove straight into him. While the son was on the ground, the father once again reversed onto him, hitting him again, and left at high speed. 

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja heard how neither of the man's two sons and his wife wanted to testify against Mr Buttigieg, leaving the prosecution without its star witnesses.

According to law, children and parents can opt not to testify against each other. Moreover, the son who was involved in the altercation with his dad asked the court to drop the charges against his father. 

However, since this was a case that fell within the parameters of domestic violence, the court had turned down this request as domestic violence cases do not require a criminal complaint to proceed. 

In view of the developments, Magistrate Bugeja said he had no choice but to clear Mr Buttigieg of all charges brought against him. 

Police Inspector Carol Fabri prosecuted while lawyers Noel Bianco and Anthony Stellini appeared for the man.