Man hit in the face with a screwdriver, court told

A fight between two gangs of friends over a girl got out of hand when a 20-year-old man allegedly hit another in the face with a screwdriver on Friday evening, a court was told today.

The man, Joseph Pace from Paola allegedly hit John Baptist Degiorgio in the face with the weapon during the fight at around 10.30 p.m. in Senglea.

Defence lawyer José Herrera told the court that his client had jumped into the fight trying to defend a friend of his when the incident occurred, adding that the court should give him the benefit of the doubt and grant bail.

Police Inspector Jesmond Borg said that this was not a spontaneous fight but was pre-meditated; in fact it was a massive fight.

Mr Pace pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Mr Degiorgio, threatening him, breached the peace and swearing in public. He also denied breaching the conditions of a previous release.

Magistrate Anthony Vella placed Mr Pace under house arrest against a personal guarantee of €5,000 and a deposit of €1,000.

Lawyers José Herrera and Veronique Dalli appeared for the accused.