Two charged with assault on police

A man and a woman were yesterday charged with trying to steal a car parked in Valletta on Monday and assaulting police officers when they were taken to the Valletta police station later on that day.

Otis Cassar, 32, and Ramona Vassallo, 33, both of San Gwann, pleaded not guilty to trying to steal Maria Briffa's Toyota Starlet and damaging it at about 4.30 p.m. and threatening and assaulting Police Inspector Ramon Mercieca and PS Joseph Mangion at the Valletta police station at about 7.30 p.m.

Cassar was also charged with trying to seriously injure Inspector Mercieca and PS Mangion with a chair, trying to injure Philippa Abela, Joseph Abela and Paul Attard when he hurled an ash tray and causing damage at the police station where the incident took place.

Vassallo was charged with slightly injuring Philippa Abela and insulting Police Inspector Josric Mifsud.

Both were charged with disobeying the police, breaching the peace and relapsing.

While the charges were being read out in court Cassar and Vassallo shook their head in disbelief. Cassar then lifted his T-shirt in an attempt to show the court injuries he had allegedly sustained during the struggle with the police.

Cassar and Vassallo were remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Josric Mifsud and Alex Grech prosecuted.

Dr Patrick Valentino represented the defendants.