A man who hit a woman in the face with a no parking sign was yesterday handed a suspended jail term after a magistrate ruled he had been provoked.

John Baldacchino, 46, from Vittoriosa, hit Carol Cutajar when she shouted and threw things at him in his hometown’s main square after he demanded she settled an outstanding debt, the court heard.

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon after Ms Cutajar told Mr Baldacchino to meet her at the square, Police Inspector Robert Said Sarreo said.

He recounted that, at one point, Mr Cutajar got hold of a traffic sign and struck her face with it.

The prosecuting officer also noted that Mr Baldacchino had been provoked by Ms Cutajar.

Mr Baldacchino admitted seriously injuring the woman, harassing her and breaching the peace.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.