Lift operator conditionally discharged - says he felt 'patriotic' when he punched man after 'insults'

A security guard who punched a man who refused to pay the €1 fare to use the Barrakka Lift was today conditionally discharged for two years. During a sitting today, Magistrate Carol Peralta said he had private information that the victim, Dr Michael Mertsch, could be difficult, but he was not going to take this into consideration because the accused - Mario Antonelli - had admitted to the charges. The Magistrate said the CCTV footage he had seen showed nothing except people walking. Mr Antonelli told the court that when Dr Mertsch approached the lift, he had, by mistake, tried to go in via the exit. He then apologised for not hearing him when he drew his attention. He then told him that he had to pay €1 but Dr Mertsch said he did not want to and this was stupid. He also remarked that he already paid too much taxes. He eventually did pay the €1, but continued to utter comments against Malta and the Maltese. Mr Antonelli admitted that he was not very nice to him either. "But at one time, he said, Dr Mertsch insulted Malta. "That is when I lost it. At that point I felt very patriotic," Mr Antonelli said. He said that exactly before he punched him, Dr Mertsch said 'fu..ing Maltese' He...