A Tarxien man who drove straight into two police cars that blocked his way was yesterday fined €2,000 and banned from driving for six months.

Paul Debattista, 52, was however acquitted of trying to cause serious injury to five police officers after Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona accepted his version of events.

The man had originally been charged with trying to kill a police inspector and four constables on January 17, 2005, in Vittoriosa. Over the years, however, the attempted murder charge was dropped and replaced with attempted serious injury. But the magistrate found that even this charge did not stand when considering the evidence produced by the prosecution and Mr Debattista’s version.

Though noting that Mr Debattista’s version “was not easily credible”, the magistrate said weight had to be given to his assertion that he thought he was in danger when two cars blocked his way. One of the cars used by the police was unmarked and the officers wore plainclothes.

Mr Debattista crashed into the cars and fled. He was apprehended two days later.

The court heard that he was being watched in connection with drug dealing. He was seen in Vittoriosa and sped off when he saw a police car. As he was driving away, a hired Peugeot 106 blocked the way in an attempt to stop him. But fearing he was being ambushed, he hit the Peugeot, a police car and a traffic sign.

Magistrate Micallef Trigona said there was lack of evidence supporting the original attempted murder charge and even the attempted grievous injury charge. There was also no evidence to prove that Mr Debattista had insulted or resisted the police.

He was, however, found guilty of driving recklessly and dangerously, damaging two vehicles, driving a car without a licence and relapsing.

Police Inspector Nezren Grixti prosecuted. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi was defence counsel.