Stephen Buhagiar, the former Sliema Council contracts manager who claimed he was asked for a bribe from former Mayor Nikki Dimech, has been acquitted of assaulting a member of the local council during an argument over a festival pole.

The case happened in March 2010 in Depiro Street, Sliema.

Magistrate Carol Peralta said it had resulted that there had been a civil argument about the pole. At one time Mr Buhagiar pushed a member of the council using just one finger.

This, for the court, did not mean assault or a threat. Mr Buhagiar was therefore acquitted.

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