Two men acquitted of ripping off car door and assaulting a man following road incident

Two men have been acquitted of assaulting another man, and ripping off his car door, following a traffic accident in Paola.

The courts ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to find Stephen Piscopo, 44 from Vittoriosa, and Justin Gouder, 26 from Cospicua, guilty of the charges brought against them.

In a sworn affidavit signed by Police Sergeant G. Cutajar, it was explained that on 6 January 2016 at around 3pm on Paul Boffa Avenue, Paola, he was called to the scene because of an argument that emerged.

A couple driving a Hyundai, Sergio and Maryonn Falzon, said that they were driving up Paul Boffa Avenue and that in the part of the road where two lanes merge into one, a car driven by David Zammit – who alleged that Mr Piscopo and Mr Gouder had caused damaged to his car and assaulted – overtook the Falzons and hit their right mirror.

Mrs Falzon said that as she got out of the car to speak with Mr Zammit and review the damages, he began to shout. She claimed that as she approached the front of Mr Zammit’s vehicle to take note of his number plate, he drove forward but did not hit her.

At this point, Mr Gouder, Mr Piscopo and a third person – Cherise Gouder, claimed to have heard the commotion from behind them and approached the scene. It was then claimed that upon seeing the three people come towards him, Mr Zammit drove his car forward onto Mr Piscopo, who had his legs stuck under the vehicle. Mr Zammit is said to have then started fighting while sitting in the driver’s seat, and allegedly punched Ms Gouder in the head. This gave rise to further commission culminating in claims that Mr Gouder and Mr Piscopo ripped off Mr Zammit’s car door.

Upon carrying out a breathalyser test, it was found that Mr Zammit was under the influence of alcohol.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja, presiding over the case, held that there was not sufficient evidence to find Stephen Piscopo or Justin Gouder guilty of the charges brought against them.

Prosecuting Inspector was Spiridione Zammit, while Dr Stefano Filletti represented the accused.