A motorist who last night hit a policeman with his car after refusing to follow traffic diversions after the Isle of MTV concert was fined €6,000 and handed a suspended jail term by a court today. His car was confiscated.

The incident happened shortly before midnight near Portes Des Bombes when the accused, 53-year-old Milan-born Nicola Maurizio Gatti, who lives in Naxxar, refused to follow police instructions to turn to Notre Dame Ditch instead of proceeding towards Valletta.

Police inspector Sergio Pisani told the court that when the policeman approached the man, Mr Gatti started remonstrating saying that he wanted to pick up his son near the Phoenicia Hotel.

All of a sudden he drove off, hitting the policeman with the side mirror of his car.

Traffic policemen gave chase and arrested him near the Valletta bus terminus.

The prosecution noted that had the policeman not stepped aside as soon as the accused sped away, the consequences could have been much more serious.

Mr Gatti pleaded guilty to all charges including attempted grievous bodily harm on a police officer, resisting and disobeying orders, reckless driving and having an expired driving license.

Magistrate Monica Vella condemned him to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years, and fined him €6,000 which are payable over 36 months. The court ordered the confiscation of his vehicle, and banned him from driving for six months.

Lawyer Yanika Bugeja was legal aid.