German denies insulting Malta and Maltese people

The German man assaulted last Sunday at the Barrakka lift has strongly denied he insulted Malta and feels his reputation has been unfairly tarnished. Michael Mertsch, 51, was treated for facial injuries after being punched by lift attendant Mario Antonelli, 45. Still bruised and bandaged when he spoke to The Sunday Times yesterday, Dr Mertsch said court proceedings and comments made by Magistrate Carol Peralta in sentencing had “added insult to injury”. Before sentencing Mr Antonelli to a two-year conditional discharge, Magistrate Peralta said he had private information that Dr Mertsch was a difficult person. “Questioning my personal integrity when, as far as I’m aware, I had met this person for the first time during the court case, is extremely unfair. “I am the victim yet I now find myself having to deal with considerable damage to my personal and professional reputation,” said Dr Mertsch, an executive for a telecommunications company in Malta. Dr Mertsch is particularly aggrieved that he was not asked to give his version of events in court, due to the attacker admitting to the crime. The only time Dr Mertsch was asked to speak by Magistrate Peralta was to explain why his...