A bus driver was yesterday acquitted of “showing lack of respect” to a Spanish tourist in an argument over change.

Christopher Tonna, 41, who has spent the last three months unable to work because he was suspended during the proceedings, was acquitted because the tourist, Isabel Reymundo Cuesta failed to turn up to testify.

Ms Cuesta was in Malta two weeks ago on a free holiday courtesy of the Malta Tourism Authority.

Police Inspector Stephen Micallef said had he known she was in Malta he would have filed an application for the case to be heard earlier but he was not informed by the MTA, although he had told them of the proceedings.

The officer said he had even sent a notification to her in Spain for her to testify but she did not turn up.

In a previous sitting, an assistant dispatcher, Saviour Grech, who witnessed the argument, said he could remember the tourist making strange movements with her mouth and being rather difficult at first but then calming down.

In submissions, defence lawyer Chris Cardona told the court that, from the evidence produced, it showed it was the woman who was being arrogant and not his client.

Magistrate Saviour Demicoli acquitted Mr Tonna on lack of evidence.