A violent attack against a Libyan man who turned a Mellieha man's life into a living hell was "excusable but not justifiable", a court decided today.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia this afternoon sentenced 51-year-old Pierre Buhagiar to 18 months prison, suspended for three years, after he grievously injured his neighbour Isam Mohamed El Shahuni yesterday.

Magistrate Farrugia ruled that Mr Buhagiar had acted in a moment of "sudden passion and mental excitement" when he assaulted Mr El Shahuni after the Libyan had entered his property and challenged him to a fight.

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt argued that his client's actions, while wrong, were the result of continued harassment.

"This man has been making my client's life a misery, leaving rubbish outside his door, breaking his belongings and is known to the police. He has to realise that he's living in Malta and this behaviour in inexcusable,"Dr Gatt told the court.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Nicholas Vella agreed that Mr Buhagiar's actions were not premeditated as he was, at the time of the incident, unable to reflect due to a moment of irrational passion.

Mr Buhagiar was also ordered by the court not to approach Mr El Shahuni.