An argument over a parking ticket left a Transport Malta official with slight injuries, while his alleged aggressor was placed under bail, facing criminal charges.

Michael Borg, a 43-year old fisherman from Tarxien, was arraigned on Thursday after the incident on Wednesday morning outside a Vittoriosa school.

The man had apparently parked his car outside the school, leaving the vehicle momentarily unattended for a few minutes while he went into the premises.

Upon his return, the man found a ticket, evidently left by a Transport Malta enforcement officer on site.

An argument over the parking ticket broke out between the two men, with the officer suffering slight injuries after being allegedly slapped in the face by the driver.

He was arrested and charged on Thursday with having threatened or insulted the officer, slightly injuring him and refusing to obey legitimate orders by the transport official. He was also charged with causing voluntary damage to his property.

Mr Borg was further charged with having uttered offensive words in respect of the officer, breaching the public peace and for relapsing.

He pleaded not guilty. The court, presided over by magistrate Audrey Demicoli, granted bail against a deposit of €800, a personal guarantee of €2,000 and an order to sign the bail book twice a week. Moreover, the Court issued a Protection Order that was to remain effective pending the proceedings.

Inspector Oriana Spiteri prosecuted.

Lawyers Alfred Abela and Arthur Azzopardi were defence counsel.