A prison inmate was yesterday acquitted of seriously injuring another in an argument at Mount Carmel Hospital’s forensic unit two years ago.

Jonathan Attard, 32, serving time for drug and theft related charges, was not found guilty after the court ruled it could not be proven that he had actually injured the victim.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke said the incident was sparked off by an argument between convicted drug trafficker Mario Camilleri known as L-Imnieħru, and 29-year-old Stephen Spiteri. Mr Attard intervened, as did other inmates, to calm the situation down but an argument ensued between Mr Spiteri and Mr Attard.

The magistrate said that all those involved had testified and all bar the accused were reluctant to say what had actually happened. Perhaps the accused could have been a little heavy-handed when dealing with Mr Spiteri as he tried to stop the fight, the court noted, adding that it had not been proven that Mr Attard had the specific intention to harm Mr Spiteri and that, by law, merited an acquittal.

Mr Spiteri, who had a history of drug problems, died in January from heart failure and was found in his cell at the Corradino Correctional Facility in Paola.

Police Inspector Nikolai Sant prosecuted.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Emanuel Mallia appeared for the accused.