Warden Albert Lia, 52, of Birzebugia, was acquitted of charges of involuntarily causing grievous injuries to an 81-year-old woman – Maria Vittoria Sultana – after he ran her over with his employer’s car while driving in Labour Avenue, Naxxar.

Mr Lia, who had also been charged with negligent driving, was on duty at the time of the incident on 5 March, 2012. Ms Sultana had sustained fractures to her arm.

A court heard that no brake marks were found on the scene of the accident and that Ms Sultana was hit by the car when it was being driven at a moderate speed, between 20 and 40 miles per hour. Ms Sultana did not choose to make use of the pedestrian crossings made available in the street either which lay a few metres away from the spot she was hit.

Therefore, Magistrate Neville Camilleri cleared Mr Lia from all the charges brought against him.

Police Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted.