Patient 'pushed' doctor after receiving knock

A man charged with assaulting a doctor at the Paola Health Centre last Thursday claimed yesterday that the doctor had bumped into his broken foot while he sat in a wheelchair.

Defence lawyer Frank Cassar told the court that his client, Saviour Cucciardi, 44, pushed the doctor away because of the pain this had caused him.

The accused also pleaded not guilty to insulting the doctor, breaching the peace and swearing in public.

Police Inspector Spridione Zammit said he had already granted Mr Cucciardi police bail adding that the accused was brought to court under arrest because he had assaulted a public official.

Taking into consideration the fact that he had already been granted police bail and is currently using crutches to support himself, Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani granted Mr Cucciardi bail against a personal guarantee of €1,000.