Man hits woman with no-parking sign

A man from Vittoriosa this morning pleaded guilty to hitting a woman who owed him money - with a road sign. John Baldacchino, 46, pleaded guilty to seriously injuring the woman on Sunday afternoon and harassing her. He was given an 18-month jail term suspended for two years. The court heard how Mr Baldacchino had contacted the woman over the outstanding debt numerous times. She then asked him to meet her in Vittoriosa's main square only to tell him to stop pestering her. She provoked him by shouting and throwing items at him and he grabbed a portable no parking sign with which he hit her on the face.