The Malta Independent columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia was fined Lm500 for libel yesterday, while editor Stephen Calleja was cleared of the same charges.

Notary Mark Sammut had filed a libel suit on 11 May 2005, claiming that an article titled Hey baby, there is a pistol in my handbag was defamatory in his regard.

The article was written by Ms Caruana Galizia and published on 28 April of the same year.

The notary felt the columnist had used negative terminology against him, both on a personal and professional level.

The court ruled that the article was effectively defamatory and libellous in Notary Sammut’s regard and Ms Caruana Galizia was ordered to pay him Lm500 in damages.

The court took into consideration that no proof was brought against Mr Calleja and he was therefore cleared of the charges.

Magistrate Silvio Meli presided over the court.