A man charged with trying to seriously injure four adults and two children during an argument was yesterday acquitted after a magistrate declared there was conflicting evidence.

The case revolves around an incident on December 3, 2006 when 34-year-old Kevin Cutajar, from Marsascala, stopped at the traffic lights in front of Grabiel restaurant in his hometown and allegedly began swearing at Francis Cassar.

Mr Cassar was having a meal on the outdoor terrace together with a friend, Deborah Richard, her two children aged nine and six and their grandparents, Carmen and Carmelo.

The accused stopped right opposite them. Shouting at the top of his voice, he threatened to cut Mr Cassar’s head off with a screw driver, Mr Cassar testified.

When they got up to leave, Mr Cutajar tried to run them over by reversing in their direction, he alleged.

This version was corroborated by Ms Richard and her parents.

The accused, however, testified there were never any children involved. He said it was Mr Cassar who had instigated the argument when he walked over to the car and told him to get out of Marsascala and never come back.

Mr Cassar, he claimed, was angry at the fact that his former girl-friend, Dorianne Felice, was now dating him and he found this hard to comprehend.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman acquitted Mr Cutajar after declaring that she was not morally convinced of his guilt.