A man who punched Labour MP Joe Sammut and told him to "enjoy it" has been jailed for six months and fined €200, with Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera condemning his "cowboy" attitude.

Philip Zahra, 43, from Naxxar was found guilty of attacking and slightly injuring Dr Sammut while he was on his way to a political activity on 24 November 2013. He was also found guilty of carrying a knife without a police license.

The MP was driving by the Luxol football pitch in St Andrew's when Mr Zahra blocked him off with his van near a set of traffic lights.

Dr Sammut told the court that a knife-wielding Mr Zahra got out of the van and threatened him. A short confrontation followed, during which Dr Sammut told the man that he is "crazy" to be threatening an MP.

The man responded by punching Dr Sammut in the face and telling him to "enjoy it seeing that you are an MP," before fleeing the scene.

Dr Sammut took note of the van's license plate number and reported the incident to the police. Mr Zahra was traced a short while later and arrested.

Mr Zahra offered a slight different version of events in court. Taking to the witness stand, he said that on the day of the incident, the driver behind him started flashing his lights at the first set of traffic lights in St Andrew's.

Mr Zahra said he stopped at the next set of lights and Dr Sammut pulled along side and started swearing at him. He said when he got out of the car to confront Dr Sammut, the MP grabbed him by his jacket.

Mr Zahra admitted punching Dr Sammut at this point, but denied carrying a knife. Mr Zahra said he did not recognise Dr Sammut and did not know that he is an MP. 

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera placed Mr Zahra under a restraining order.