Updated | Aggressor in tears as racial assault victim extends hand of friendship in court

The aggressor in an alleged racially motivated attack on a bus commuter shed tears as she embraced victim Jack Daboma, who withdrew his complaint against Alison Cutajar in court today.

Hungarian national Jack Daboma was charged in court by police with disturbing the peace and staining his aggressor’s reputation - charges which were dropped almost instantly once police presented no evidence to pursue the charge.

But the harrowing incident brought condemnation on the police force when the black university student was racially assaulted at the Valletta bus terminus by a woman who spat at him, as he tried organising an unruly group of customers into an orderly queue.

The incident took place on the first day that the 'tallinja' bus card was launched, its flop leading to much frustration for commuters at the Valletta terminus.

Daboma was then wrongfully arrested by police officers in a struggle that was captured on video, after he was incorrectly pointed out as having breached the peace. The intervening RIU officers released him when a journalist witnessing the scene vouched for his innocence.

Father-of-two Daboma was charged with damaging the reputation of Alison Cutajar, who allegedly spat at him and later slapped him.

Cutajar was charged with racially motivated assault. Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Cutajar as defence counsel.

She told the court that she had apologised for her actions, and that her intention was never to offend or bring Daboma into disrepute. On his part, lawyer Robert Montalto, Daboma's counsel, told the court that his client had accepted the apology and was withdrawing his complaint against Cutajar.

Lawyer Franco Debono explained that his client's actions had been caused by her state of anxiety after being discharged from hospital, following an operation.

At the end of the sitting Debono suggested the two shake hands as a tangible sign that no hard feelings remained between the parties. Daboma and Cutajar shook hands and embraced, leaving Cutajar in tears.