An appeals court refused to reduce a six-month prison term given to a man who had pushed and injured a local warden, saying his actions were "uncalled for and unprovoked".

Angelo Abela, 37, was jailed after he was found guilty of assaulting and slightly injuring local warden Joseph Gauci Borda in Żabbar in July, 2004.

He was also found guilty of damaging the warden's hand-held computer, worth about €3,488, and breaching the peace.

But Mr Abela asked the Court of Criminal Appeals to reduce his punishment, arguing it was too harsh.

The incident took place when Mr Gauci Borda was booking Mr Abela's wife for not wearing a seatbelt. When the warden asked her to move the car from the middle of the road, she refused and started shouting. Unseen by Mr Gauci Borda, Mr Abela came up from behind and suddenly pushed him onto car, breaking his hand-held computer.

Passers-by stopped Mr Abela from attacking Mr Gauci Borda again and a few minutes later he got into the car and drove off.

In his judgment, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono pointed out that, considering the charges brought against him, Mr Abela could have been jailed for a maximum of four years and six months.

The judge said the attack took place suddenly and described it as uncalled for and unprovoked. He also noted that Mr Abela had been previously found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol and without a licence.

As a result, he dismissed Mr Abela's appeal and confirmed his six-month jail term.