Updated - A parker who allegedly assaulted a Briton who refused to pay a gratuity has had his licence indefinitely suspended by Transport Malta pending further investigations.

The assault took place at a Qawra public car park on Saturday evening.

“When my wife and I got out of the car, this attendant asked us for money. I said no, it’s free, it’s always been free. But he insisted and punched me square in the face. The next thing I know I’m on the floor and he’s kicking the life out of me. For what? A few cents that I’m not obliged to give him?” Mr Farrow, 59, said.

Mitch Farrow’s bruises bear testimony to the violent nature of the incident. Photos: Darrin Zammit LupiMitch Farrow’s bruises bear testimony to the violent nature of the incident. Photos: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The British expat, who has lived in Malta for nine years, had driven down to Qawra for a quiet meal with his wife Anita on Saturday evening. He never imagined he would have to pay to park his car, never mind be assaulted for refusing to.

Speaking to the Times of Malta moments after filing a police report, Mr Farrow’s bruised and swollen face bears testimony to the violent nature of the incident. His two eyes heavily bruised, lip cut, and right side of his face swollen, it is immediately clear that what happened was more than a heated exchange of words.

He explained that not only did he have osteoarthritis in his hip, and a recent implant – which made it difficult for him to get away from his alleged assailant – but he was also recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I’m not a young boy any more. It’s not that easy to get away from someone younger than you when he hits you like that,” he said.

As a small gold boxing glove on a chain around his neck caught the sunlight, Mr Farrow said that in his younger years he was a boxer and was no stranger to violence. However, he had still never experienced anything like the attack before.

It’s not that easy to get away from someone younger than you when he hits you like that

The police yesterday confirmed that the case was being investigated and officers had spoken to the attendant who was not at the car park when this newspaper visited yesterday.

Large signs at the entrance and exit of the car park clearly state that “payment of gratuities/tips are voluntary”.

The public car park in Qawra where the alleged assault took place.The public car park in Qawra where the alleged assault took place.

A Transport Malta spokesman meanwhile said that the authority had received a report of an alleged attack in the car park near the Santana Hotel in Qawra.

“We will obviously cooperate fully with the police on this and take action accordingly,” the spokesman said.

He did not say, when asked, whether the attendant would be suspended pending the police inquiry.

Asked how the incident eventually fizzled out, Mr Farrow said his wife had first tried to drag the attendant away from him only to be thrown to the ground herself.

“It was only when another person, I don’t know who, came to intervene that I managed to get to my feet and we got out of there as quickly as possible,” he said.

Mr Farrow said he would probably not press charges, as he feared having to spend the next few years in and out of court.

“I do, however, want to see some justice from his employer. Transport Malta needs to take action and discipline this employee. We have read about these things happening in the Times of Malta several times and they are still happening. It is just unacceptable,” he said.

Back in February, the transport authority had said it was clamping down on abusive parking attendants as stories emerged of drivers being insulted for not tipping them even when signs clearly say they do not have to. Transport Malta had then suspended the licence of two attendants for a month and a number of others were fined forabusive behaviour.

Reports have meanwhile continued to reach this newspaper of attendants at public car parks across the island trying to coerce drivers to pay up.

ATTENDANTS ARE NOT TRANSPORT MALTA EMPLOYEES

A Transport Malta spokesman said the authority does not employ car park attendants but it licenses them. At most the authority may remove their licence. He did not say, when asked, whether the attendant in question would have his licence removed.

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