Mariella Borg said her husband Noel had punched her in the face in front of their children, bruising her face. Borg denied ever assaulting her. It was his word against hers.

When the couple’s young daughter was called to the stand to give her version of events she seemed unsure of what she was saying. Psychologist Therese Micallef said the young girl’s confusion probably meant she had not experienced the incident she was trying to describe to the court.

The court, presided over by magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, ruled that the evidence resented was not sufficient to prove that it was Borg who had caused the bruising on Mrs Borg’s face. Mr Borg was therefore acquitted.

Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted.