Parking argument turns nasty when elderly man fractures hip

An argument over a parking place at Spinola led to an elderly man being rushed to hospital with a fractured hip after he allegedly tried to assault another driver.

Luigi Dalli took the witness stand saying on 12 July this year he went to Spinola Bay to purchase fish for his wife. However when he tried to access a parking place a man started waving his arms telling him not to park as his friend was going to park there. "I told him to move away or I'll call the police, and I drove into the space," the elderly man held. Moments later another parking space was vacated and the man left.

"I got out of my car and another person ran towards me and elbowed me. I did not fall only because I held to my car. I went to demand an explanation but he ran back, took me by the neck and threw me on the floor. I lost consciousness from the pain," the witness explained.

Paul Spiteri, 39 of Swieqi was charged with grievously injuring Luigi Dalli, when he assaulted the elderly man. The alleged victim had to undergo surgery to his hip due to his injuries.

However, the person who had demanded that the parking space remains vacant gave a different version of events. Joseph Briffa testified he was the man who told Dalli not to park. The accused was behind the car of the alleged victim when he driver honked his horn so that he park his car, but the elderly man drove into the space.

He explained that the elderly man drove at him and hit him on his knees with the car, "but I was not injured." He continued saying that once the accused had found another parking space, they walked away from the parking bay to leave the area.

"When I got to the vehicle, I heard the elderly gentleman running towards us, shouting we were making fun of him. Dalli got out of the car and tried to punch him, but Paul moved out of the way. The aggressor lost his balance and fell to the floor. Not only the accused did not assault him but actually tried to help him to his feet again," the witness told the court. Briffa denied provoking the elderly man.

Dr Alessandro Lia, appearing for the victim suggested to the witness that his client was making use of a walking stick, and was scheduled for a knee-cap operation. The witness denied seeing any walking sticks in the area.

His version was corroborated by PS1456 Jonathan Cassar, who was the first officer on the scene. The police sergeant testified he had not seen any walking sticks and had found the victim next to Spiteri's car. The vehicle of the accused was parked in the opposite side of where the fishmongers sell their wares.

Magistrate Carol Peralta called Dr Alessandro Lia to the bench to explain the area where the incident took place in relation to where the victim claimed he was going and where the alleged assault actually took place, as the lawyer claimed he is not familiar with the area.

The doctors who examined the victim and the police inspector who investigated the case are expected to give evidence in the next sitting.

Dr Stefano Filletti appeared for the accused.