Stephen Mackay, 34, from Valletta was given a one-year jail term suspended for three years against a personal guarantee of €1,000, after he admitted that he assaulted Transport Malta enforcement officer Joseph Caruana.

The case unfolded at around 8.15pm last Sunday at City Gate in Valletta, Magistrate Anthony Vella was told yesterday.

Mr Mackay was accused of violently resisting the orders given to him by a public official, and threatening him, damaging his property and breaching public order. He was ordered to pay Mr Caruana €250 within six months, to compensate him for the damages he suffered. He was also bound by the guarantee not to approach Mr Caruana.

Lawyer José Herrera defended the accused while Police Inspector Pierre Micallef-Grimaud prosecuted.