A man was yesterday fined Lm1,000 after he was found guilty of punching and slightly injuring a Malta Environment and Planning Authority enforcement officer who went to a construction site to inform the owner of a stop and enforcement notice.

The court heard how on 30 August 2003, Carmel Dimech, 44, from Zebbug punched Ronnie Vella in the face when he approached him. Some time later, Dimech threw a stone at Mr Vella but this did not hit him.

Handing down his judgement, Magistrate Giovanni Grixti said that the court did not believe that a jail term is adequate as a punishment in the circumstances and so fined him Lm1,000. Police Superintendent Raymond D’Anastas prosecuted.