A man has been cleared of injuring his wife after a magistrate ruled that, although the man admitted slapping her and pulling her hair, he acted in self-defence.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard how Carmel Galdes, 41, of St Paul's Bay had been charged with injuring his wife Michelle on September 5, 2005.

The magistrate heard that on the day of the incident Mrs Galdes filed a police report claiming her husband had hit her in the face and pulled her hair following an argument.

When the police went to their house, Mr Galdes admitted he had slapped his wife and pulled her hair but explained that his wife had a drinking problem and he had acted in self-defence when she became aggressive.

He added that, after they agued, his wife headed towards the balcony and, since she was drunk, he thought she might jump off so he grabbed her by the neck.

The magistrate noted that Mrs Galdes had chosen not to testify in the case against her husband.

On evaluating the evidence she ruled that it clearly resulted that Mr Galdes had acted in self-defence.

For this reason the magistrate cleared Mr Galdes of the charge.

Police Inspectors Therese Sciberras and Raymond Aquilina prosecuted.