A British tourist has been cleared of charges stemming from a poolside brawl that took place at the db Seabank Hotel.

Liam Joseph Stacey had been accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Roderick Sciortino during an altercation which took place at the hotel in Mellieha. The confrontation began when a group of allegedly intoxicated Maltese guests approached the accused, who was by the pool.

It was heard in court that Sciortino slapped Stacey, which caused him to fall over his child. Stacey then hit Sciortino once in the face. A brief struggle followed and then hotel staff intervened.

Sciortino was taken to Mater Dei Hospital later. He suffered a brain haemorrhage and fell into a coma. Life support was withdrawn a few days later and he passed away.

A court-appointed medical-legal expert had testified that Sciortino's death resulted from a ruptured brain aneurysm, not from any injury sustained in the altercation. "It was a purely pathological bleed, not due to an injury," the expert said.

The expert also said that Sciortino's blood pressure had risen to high levels and his alcohol levels were elevated, both factors capable of triggering the rupture.

A consultant neurosurgeon also said that the haemorrhage was spontaneous.

In its ruling, the court found that the prosecution did not establish a causal link between the punch and Sciortino's death. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech acquitted Stacey of the charges.

AG lawyer Brandon Bonnici together with Inspectors Bradley Grima and Clayton Camilleri prosecuted. The defence was led by lawyer Stefano Filletti, and lawyer Rachel Tua appeared on behalf of the Sciortino family.