A barman has been acquitted of seriously injuring a client by biting off a substantial part of his nose, with the court finding that he had acted in self defence.

The court heard how on November 9, 2008 the victim, Michael Farrugia, had entered a bar and started offending the barman - Carmel Micallef. He also challenged other people to a fight. At one time he tried to throw a bar stool at a showcase but was stopped.

The barman then asked everyone to leave and closed the shop.

As he got out, Mr Micallef told Mr Farrugia that he would file a police report.

That appeared to have further angered Mr Farrugia, who assaulted Mr Micallef. He threw him against a car and started beating him.

Mr Micallef defended himself, although he could not remember biting Mr Farrugia's nose.

The chronology of what had happened was confirmed by a nnumber of witnesses who blamed Mr Farrugia for the incident.

Mr Micallef was then acquitted.