A vengeful driver threw paint stripper over a car a few months after his own vehicle was damaged in a minor accident.

I have already decided, and that is final- magistrate

Anthony Gauci, 59, from Fgura, poured the liquid over a Ford Escort belonging to Sean Felice, ofTarxien, at about 9 p.m last Monday.

Mr Felice had received anonymous letters before his car was damaged, the court heard.

Transport Malta employee Mr Gauci pleaded guilty to causing €2,377-worth of damage.

The minor traffic accident happened several months ago and a subsequent payment was settled by the two men’s insurance companies.

But Mr Gauci appeared to have harboured a grudge before damaging Mr Felice’s car.

As the arraignment got underway yesterday, defence lawyer Anġlu Farrugia claimed the incident had been provoked. Lawyer Edward Gatt, who was representing the victim, said his client just wanted the damage to be fixed andfor Mr Gauci to leave him alone in future.

When Police Inspector Spiridione Zammit tried to give his submissions to the court, Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona barked that he did not want to listen to him.

Even though the inspector pleaded to be heard, the magistrate told him that he had already decided what had to be done and that was final.

Mr Gauci was conditionally discharged for two years and told to pay the victim €2,377 within 12 months. The victim, Mr Felice, was placed under a protection order for 12 months.