A Libyan man has been cleared of stealing $2,000 and Lm80 from an Arab man in Sliema three years ago, because there was a conflict between the accused’s version of events and that of the alleged victim.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona said that the court had two versions: that of the accused Aiman Sherif and that of the alleged victim Fathi Ali El Ghonsol. The latter claimed that as he was walking in Manwel Dimech Street in Sliema he was robbed by the accused. The defendant, on the other hand, said that at the time he was at home, and he even had his wife testify that he was at home on the night in question.

The magistrate said that the court could not rely on one version and completely disregard the other. Therefore, in view of the conflicting evidence, the magistrate cleared Mr Sherif of all the charges brought against him.

Police Inspectors Yvette Farrugia and Stephen Gatt prosecuted while Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Manwel Mallia appeared for the accused.