A scuffle which broke out at Mġarr harbour between rival operators of pleasure boats to Comino has landed one of them with a permanent disability and the other two with a €16,455 damages bill.

The incident happened in July 2015.

Frank Buttigieg, who fared worse off, filed a civil suit for damages against his two direct competitors Paul and Joseph Buttigieg.

The court heard that a number of tourists had just arrived in Gozo and Mario Buttigieg, Frank's business partner, was speaking to four of them about taking them to Comino when Paul Buttigieg shoulder-butted him in an attempt to entice the tourists to his own boat.

Frank Buttigieg  stepped in, showing his disapproval and rival Paul Buttigieg  punched him and knocked him over. Joseph Buttigieg joined the fray allegedly punching Frank Buttigieg in the face and inflicting a deep cut with a key.

“It was two against one,” Frank Buttigieg had testified, explaining how he had been taken unawares by the sudden violent reaction and had only sought to shield himself from the blows as he lay on the hard cement paving.

Giving his version, Paul Buttigieg claimed that he had been trying to strike a deal with the tourists when his rival turned up, scaring off the prospective customers with talk of "fake ticket".

He also claimed that Frank Buttigieg had dealt the first blow.

Magistrate Joanne Vella Cuschieri observed that not only had Paul Buttigieg given different versions shortly after the incident and later in his affidavit, but his side of the story was not corroborated by the testimony of independent eyewitnesses.

In fact, two Transport Malta inspectors had confirmed that the men had ended up “in a knot”, their version strongly corroborating that of the victim.

As a result of the aggression, the victim had required a tooth replacement and had suffered permanent scarring on his face and arm, besides chronic pain and reduced strength in his right arm, being certified with a permanent disability of 8%.

In the light of all evidence put forward, the court concluded that Paul and Joseph Buttigieg were responsible for the aggression, and ordered them to pay damages of €16,455.

Frank Buttigieg was represented by lawyers Carmelo Galea and Daniel Calleja.