A shop owner has been acquitted of grievously injuring two French tourists outside a St Julian's bar in June 2022, after the court found that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Ronald Jakub Frysiak, a 40-year-old Slovak national residing in Siġġiewi, had been accused of causing grievous injuries to two men in St Augustine Street.

Superintendent Saviour Baldacchino testified that police were assisting the injured tourists when a passerby indicated that one of the individuals involved had entered a nearby outlet. Frysiak was arrested at the shop shortly afterwards.

One of the alleged victims told the court that he and his friend had been drinking before heading back to their hotel but could not recall the events leading up to his hospitalisation. He was unable to identify who had assaulted him and confirmed he had consumed alcohol. He had suffered a facial laceration requiring stitches.

Frysiak's partner testified that they were closing their shop when she noticed a man lying unconscious on the pavement. As people gathered, another man attempted to revive him in what she described as an aggressive manner. She called an ambulance and later provided the man with water, which he used to splash on the unconscious individual.

She explained that Frysiak intervened, warning that moving the man could cause harm. At that point, the assisting man allegedly punched Frysiak in the face. The second tourist later informed police that he was no longer interested in pursuing the case.

Although Frysiak chose not to testify in court, he had previously told police that both alleged victims were heavily intoxicated and that he had acted in self-defence. He also expressed remorse over the incident.

In its judgment, the court noted the absence of independent eyewitnesses and CCTV footage, despite several bystanders being present. It observed that the case relied heavily on the testimony of one alleged victim who could not recall key details or identify his aggressor.

The court found the version of events given by Frysiak and his partner to be consistent and credible, concluding that one of the tourists had already fallen and injured himself due to intoxication, while the other had attacked the accused.

Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia ruled that there was no probative link between Frysiak and the injuries sustained and acquitted him of all charges. The prosecution was led by Superintendent Baldacchino and Inspector Darryl Farr, while lawyer Roberta Bonello represented the accused.