An argument between two strangers over a parking spot in Sta Venera landed one of them with a fractured nose, while the accused ended up facing criminal prosecution for involuntary grievous bodily harm.

Peter Cremona, a 33-year old maintenance worker from Sta Venera, was arraigned on Wednesday and charged with grievously injuring the victim without intending to kill him or placing his life in manifest danger.

He was also charged with insulting and threatening the other man and breaching the peace.

An argument had apparently broken out between the two men over a parking slot in the street where the accused lived and where the victim worked.

The man pleaded not guilty and filed a request for bail which was objected to by prosecuting inspector Elliott Magro who cited as the primary ground the fact that the alleged offender lived just metres away from the victim’s workplace.

Moreover, the victim was still to testify about the incident, the inspector added.

On the other hand, defence lawyer Anthony Farrugia argued that not only did his client have a perfectly clean criminal record, but he had also fully cooperated with the police.

Besides, a Protection Order could sufficiently safeguard the interests of the victim, the lawyer added. “It is not necessary to deprive the man of his liberty.”

Upon these submissions, magistrate Neville Camilleri upheld the request for bail against a deposit of €1,000, a personal guarantee of €10,000, as well as a curfew between 8pm and 6am. The man was ordered to sign the bail book three times a week.

A Protection Order was also issued in respect of the victim.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared parte civile.