A Sicilian businessman who crashed into a parked car only to file a false police report blaming the other driver for the damage was yesterday conditionally discharged for three years.

Giuseppe Artino, 51, from Augusta, made the false report on June 20 at about 7.30pm, five days after crashing into a stationary vehicle in Spencer Hill, Marsa, at about 4am.

Police Inspector Godwin Scerri said the damages amounted to about €190, a figure disputed by the defence counsel, who asked not to be named.

The lawyer argued that his client did not intentionally damage the car, yet, he was charged with wilful damage.

The prosecuting officer said he was convinced that the damage caused was intentional.

The defence counsel said that Mr Artino wanted to publicly apologise.

In pleas on punishment, Mr Scerri said that this was a very serious incident in which Mr Artino had accused another man who was investigated when there was no need, thus wasting police time.

The lawyer pointed out that his client had spent 24 hours behind bars, which was already a deterrent. He asked Magistrate Giovanni Grixti to consider giving his client a warning.