Warden, driver make up after coming to blows near school

A man and a warden nearly twice his size made peace and shook hands in a courtroom yesterday after assaulting each other on Wednesday in an argument over a fine that went completely out of control.

Late for work at Maria Regina School in Ħamrun, Antoine Cachia, a 26-year-old teacher's assistant, drove up a one-way street to get to the school's parking lot, the court heard. But he came face to face with warden Gary Mercieca, a burly six-footer, who told him he could not proceed. However, Mr Cachia insisted that he was late and would drive through. Mr Mercieca warned him that if he did, he would fine him.

The teacher's assistant drove on and the warden followed him into the parking lot where he started to enter the car's details into his hand-held computer in order to issue a ticket. As he was doing so, Mr Cachia ran to the headmaster's office, asking him to intervene but the head of school refused to get involved.

The assistant returned to the car park where the warden was about to issue the fine. An argument ensued and things got out of hand. Mr Cachia knocked the computer out of the warden's hands and Mr Mercieca retaliated by punching him, knocking him to the ground.

Mr Cachia got back into his car and drove around the warden in an intimidating manner... but he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall.

Both men were arraigned yesterday and pleaded guilty to assaulting each other.

Mr Cachia was also charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and driving dangerously.

In submissions on punishment, the defence lawyers said both men had forgiven each other.

Magistrate Anthony Vella told the men they looked like decent people. He asked where they had spent the night. In the police lock-up, they replied. Remarking, tongue in cheek, that it was a five-star hotel, the magistrate asked them to shake hands to prove they had really forgiven each other.

They smiled broadly and shook hands, as lawyers, police officers and members of the public in the court room chuckled.

Still, that did not mean they were let off the hook. The magistrate handed down a six-month jail term suspended for two years in the case of Mr Cachia while Mr Mercieca was conditionally discharged for two years.

Police Inspectors Ramon Mercieca and Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.

Lawyers Rolan Borg and Vince Micallef appeared for Mr Cachia.

Lawyer Richard Sladden appeared for Mr Mercieca.