Evidence produced in court showed that the two had an intimate relationship and in their statements to the police following the incident in front of Castille, both gave different versions of what had happened.

One witness, a policeman, testified that no one had actually seen Mr Fava assaulting Ms Grech and that the scratches and damage to her car were all rusty, indicating that the damage was not fresh.

In her judgement, Magistrate Abigail Lofaro said that not enough evidence had been produced to prove that Mr Fava had assaulted and seriously injured Ms Grech. Five charges relating to breaching the peace and swearing in public were dropped because they had become time-barred.

Moreover, she said, the damage to Ms Grech’s car was not fresh. She therefore cleared Mr Fava of all charges .

Because there was a separation of judgement, the judgement against Ms Grech, who was charged with similar offences in connection with the same incident, will be handed down on a different date.