A deaf man yesterday testified about the moment an enraged neighbour allegedly punched his car window during an argument over parking and gave his elderly mother such a shock that she fainted.

The man, Lawrence Muscat of Żabbar, who testified with the aid of a sign language interpreter, said that Justin Cassar, 22, approached him as he was getting ready to leave his parking spot in front of the latter’s house next to the Żabbar church on June 15 last year.

Mr Cassar pounded the bonnet, the wind screen and finally punched the window on the driver’s side as Mr Muscat waited inside the car for his elderly mother who was talking to a friend across the street, Mr Muscat said yesterday.

The encounter is alleged to have turned even more violent when Mr Muscat got out of the car and asked Mr Cassar what was the problem. A scuffle ensued and Mr Cassar bit him in the chest and knocked off his spectacles, at which point his elderly mother felt ill and collapsed, he said.

Sporting a Mohawk hairstyle, Mr Cassar yesterday pleaded not guilty to threatening a disabled person, damaging the car, breaching the peace and swearing in public.

During his testimony, Mr Muscat said he had pictures of the wounds he had sustained. He held up two pictures, one in each hand, and showed them round the court from the witness stand.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona told him to stop the theatrics and Mr Muscat apologised.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Fabian Fleri prosecuted.

Lawyers Andy Ellul and Vince Micallef appeared for Mr Cassar.

Lawyer Michael Sciriha appeared parte civile.