A Polidano Group employee was today given an eight-month jail term suspended for 15 months after grievously injuring his colleague in an argument.

The case dates to July 2013 when an argument erupted at the Ħal-Farrug factory of the Polidano Group.

The accused, Leonardo Balzan, 58, struck Vincenzo Micallef in the face, causing him to trip and bump his head on the ground.

The victim ended up battling for his life at Mater Dei Hospital's Intensive Care Unit due to the lesion to his head.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit noted that for a crime to be committed voluntarily, a generic intent to cause harm must be present. If the intent was to cause harm, no matter how minimal, then the perpetrator must answer for the consequences of his actions.

The testimony of numerous witnesses showed that the accused had an argument with his foreman, Michael Axiak. The victim attempted to intervene, calling the accused "an egoist". The accused told him not to meddle, at which time the victim once again called him egoistic. At that, the accused raised his hand and struck him on the face with an open palm.

Mr Micallef reeled backwards and fell to the ground, hitting his head on a step. Later, he could not recall the incident.

The court observed that the accused was not acting in self-defence and was not even provoked, since the victim had not insulted him. He was, therefore, not excused for reacting the way he did. It was also clear that, at that moment, the accused intended to hurt the victim, no matter how slight he intended the injury to be.

The court found the accused guilty. It ordered him to pay the court expenses which amounted to €1,080.

Police inspector Kylie Borg prosecuted. Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Yanika Vidal appeared for the accused.