Patient charged with assaulting policeman

A patient at Mount Carmel Hospital was yesterday charged with assaulting and slightly injuring a police constable who was on duty at the hospital on Thursday.

The 28-year-old man, of Palestinian origin, pleaded not guilty to threatening, assaulting and slightly injuring PC Terry James Mallia, damaging his uniform and disobeying his orders in Ward 8B at about 6.45p.m.

After hearing how the man suffered from mental health problems, and that he had even tried to harm himself, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna ordered that he remains detained at the Mount Carmel forensic ward.

The name of the man is not being published due to his mental health condition.

Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.

Lawyer Martin Fenech represented the man.