A court expert told a court yesterday that the injuries sustained by a man were not compatible with those sustained when a person is hit by a vehicle in motion.

Testifying in court, Dr Mario Scerri said the injuries sustained by Tonio Zammit seemed more like injuries sustained when a person is punched and hit rather than the result of being hit by a car.

Dr Scerri was testifying in the case against Philip Cauchi, 33, of Zebbug, who is being charged with the attempted murder of Tonio Zammit, son of Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit.

The incident took place at Pender Place car park in Paceville. The accused and his girlfriend, Antonella Cutajar, are both claiming that Mr Zammit was injured after he had been run over by a car but Mr Zammit is insisting that he sustained the injuries in a fight with the accused.

Dr Scerri said that Mr Zammit’s injuries were not compatible with those usually sustained when someone is hit by a vehicle in motion.

Ms Cutajar, who walked into the courtroom with a bandaged foot and on crutches, said she sustained her injuries after she was hit by Mr Zammit’s car.

Following this incident, she said, her boyfriend – the accused – went up to Mr Zammit’s car, opened the door and punched him in the face. She said Mr Zammit jumped into the passenger seat, opened the door and left the car.

She said that as soon as he got out of the car, he was hit by another vehicle which was silver in colour and driven by an elderly man.

When asked what Mr Zammit did after he was hit by the car, Ms Cutajar said he got up and walked towards the car park’s reception, probably to ask for assistance.

During yesterday’s sitting, police officer Alfio Borg presented a DVD with footage taken from the closed circuit cameras close to where the incident had occurred. He said the footage is not clear at all since it was too dark.

Inspector Martin Sammut and inspector Carmelo Abdilla prosecuted.

Dr Roberto Montalto and Dr Jose Herrera appeared for the accused.

Dr Manuel Mallia and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran appeared parte civile for Mr Zammit.