A man who had been charged with causing damage evaluated at €1,165 (Lm500) to a field was yesterday acquitted after a court ruled there were major discrepancies in the testimony of witnesses brought forward by the prosecution.

Joseph Attard was charged with causing damage to a field in Ġnejna on August, 3, 2001, and a second time in May 2002.

The court heard how Joseph and Sammy Vella, second cousins to Mr Attard, had sown the field with cape gooseberry.

Their mother, Emanuela had allegedly seen Mr Attard destroying the work done by his cousins.

The court heard of the tension that existed within the family over the ownership of the field in question. However after hearing conflicting testimonies, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli ruled that the court had serious doubts as to whether the witnesses produced by the prosecution were, in fact, credible.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.

Lawyer Mark Busutill appeared for Mr Attard.

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