Language difficulties between a Qrendi taxi driver and an elderly French couple escalated to a physical altercation which left one passenger with grievous injuries, a court heard.

Brian Aber, 39, was charged with grievously injuring Bruno de Bon and slightly injuring his wife, Marie, in Zebbug.

Prosecuting officer Kylie Borg told the court how, on July 1 at around 10.30pm, the police had received a report that an argument between a taxi driver and his two passengers had resulted in an assault.

The accused, who refused legal representation, told Magistrate Gabriella Vella that he was pleading guilty to the charges.

“Whatever happened happened, I extended my hand and struck him, I wasn’t wearing my spectacles at the time," the accused admitted.

Insp. Borg explained that when questioned by the police, the accused had said that he was punched while trying to take back the receipt from the woman because he wanted to get paid.

The accused had insisted with the police that the Frenchman had hit him in the head first, knocking off his glasses before striking out again, at which point he had reacted.

“This all started because of the language barrier," Insp. Borg added. While asking that the punishment reflect the injuries suffered by the couple, the prosecution said it was not going to insist on effective incarceration because the case was “an unfortunate escalation of a misunderstanding caused by communication difficulties".

The court sentenced him to two years imprisonment suspended for three years.