A truck driver with an anger management problem got away with a suspended sentence today after having been found guilty of assaulting two policemen in the course of a scuffle sparked by a minor traffic collision.

Ryan Dimech, 37, from Zebbuġ, was accused of having threatened and physically assaulted the police officers after a collision involving Mr Dimech's truck and a vehicle driven by a woman.

The man was driving his father's truck in St Paul's Bay at around 7am on November 22, 2007, on his way to work, when he was involved in a collision close to the Erba' Mwiezeb roundabout.

An argument broke out between the female driver and the accused who mouthed a tirade of foul words. A police officer who was driving past, stopped to intervene. Mr Dimech turned his anger upon the policeman, who called the Mosta station for assistance.

The arrival of two other officers added to the fury of the accused who became aggressive and not only refused to obey police orders but also resisted arrest, kicking and punching the officers in a rage.

In the ensuing scuffle, one of the officers' specs were smashed and another officer needed medical treatment when his blood pressure allegedly shot up.

Mr Dimech, finally handcuffed, was led away in a police car swearing and banging all the way to the police station.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia said that in view of the conflicting versions given by the prosecution and the accused, weight was to be given to the testimony of the female driver since she was the most independent witness.

It was noted that Mr Dimech had reacted violently when the police suggested that he was to call the wardens and move the vehicles so as not to obstruct the traffic flow.

The court, taking note of the accused's colourful record sheet, remarked that a minor traffic accident had sparked off the "argument and major drama."

Observing that the accused had an anger management problem, the court however noted that Mr Dimech had a stable job and was trying to change his ways. Although "aggressive and violent behaviour " was not justifiable, an effective prison sentence was not appropriate in these particular circumstances, the court remarked.

Consequently, while declaring the accused guilty, the court imposed an 18-month jail term suspended for 4 years and placed the man under a Supervision Order for 3 years. The court also ordered him to foot the bill for the police officer's broken specs amounting to €60.56.

Inspector Gabriel Micallef prosecuted.