Magistrate Anthony Vella yesterday started hearing evidence in the case filed by the police against a Libyan national who is charged with having driven in the direction of people in Paceville on New Year's Eve.

Hani Ali, 20, from Bugibba, stands charged with attempted murder and with having injured a number of people.

Police Superintendent Raymond Vella Gregory told the court he had heard a lot of noise when many people tried to stop a car that was being driven at excessive speed. The car was being driven in front of the Paceville Burger King outlet and the witness said he saw people jumping with fear. It looked as though some suicide attack was being attempted when one saw the manner in which the car was driving in the direction of the people there. According to the witness the car continued in the direction of Wilga Street and he saw some people calling for help.

The car was immediately surrounded by police officers and by many other people who were very angry at the car's driver, the accused. The police had to protect the accused from the crowd, but he was disobeying police orders.

Police sergeant Anton Buttigieg told the court he was informed that the accused had driven from the direction of Qawra at excessive speed and that the police had tried to stop him but to no avail. Two police officers had warned the accused to stop but he had ignored the order.

Mr Ali was forced to stop due to traffic congestion, but he then drove off and ran over a policeman who was trying to take his car keys. The witness added that when he went to the hospital he saw three injured police officers and three other injured persons.

Police Inspector Martin Sammut told the court he had seen two cars that had collided near the Millennium chapel. One of the cars was that driven by the accused and the other belonged to an elderly couple. The accused appeared to be out of his senses or asleep in the car.

Police Constable Robert Vassallo testified that he was on duty near the traffic lights and had tried to stop the car and take the car keys, but the accused had driven on, hitting him and fracturing one of his ribs. The witness said he chased Mr Ali on his motorbike.

The case continues.