Nikki Dimech describes his accuser as 'aggressive'

Magistrate Carol Peralta acquitted Stephen Buhagiar, the former Sliema local council contracts manager after the charges brought against him were not proven.

From the witness' bench former Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech and PL councillor Martin Debono had claimed that the council's former contracts manager reacted aggressively when they were investigating potholes in Rudolph Street, Sliema back in 2010. The holes, dug up for poles used during the parish feast were on the street's newly laid surface and the two challenged Buhagiar's permit to dig up the holes.

The court decided that while there was little doubt on whether Buhagiar pushed a Sliema councillor, this did not constitute assault or threatening.

Subsequently, the court decided that Buhagiar did not resist anyone.

Buhagiar had claimed that it was Joseph Grech, from the Sliema council who had instructed the drilling. However councillor Debono stated that no permits were ever found.

The dismissal of the former contracts manager had kicked off an investigation into the Sliema Local Council which led to the former Mayor's expulsion from the council, his resignation from the Nationalist Party. Earlier this year, he was arraigned and found guilty over charges of bribery.