An 82-year-old man accused of butchering his British neighbour’s wisteria tree was yesterday acquitted due to lack of evidence after she withdrew the case.

Gillian Renaud, 65, took legal action after claiming Francis Camilleri had ruined the tree and also cut down a trellis in her Ħamrun garden last September.

Ms Renaud had previously won €100 in compensation from a Small Claims Tribunal.

However, she told Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit yesterday that she wanted to withdraw the charges against him.

Mr Camilleri was found not guilty of causing damage and was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The magistrate did, however, place Ms Renaud under a protection order and told Mr Camilleri not to speak to her.

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