A 27-year-old man yesterday was cleared of seriously injuring a British national and slightly injuring three others after the court ruled that the witnesses gave conflicting testimonies.

Anthony Joseph Portelli was cleared of the charges brought against him after the court heard witnesses giving different versions of the incident that took place at a pub in Bugibba more than six years ago.

British national John Stuart Roberts was seriously injured in a fight that broke out at the pub on the night between 10 and 11 March 2001. Three others – Melanie Dawn Garbutt, Neil Edward Lofthouse and Emily Bridget Fox were slightly injured.

The witnesses gave conflicting versions as regards who had actually assaulted the foreigners. Two of the witnesses even said Mr Portelli was not at the pub at the time of the incident and as a result of the uncertain situation, the court acquitted him of all the charges.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman presided over the court.

Police Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi prosecuted and Dr Edward Gatt appeared for Mr Portelli.