A young couple from Ħamrun was yesterday charged with threatening and injuring police officers and refusing to obey legitimate orders in an argument the prosecution says could have easily been avoided.

Fabrizio Runza, 25, and his girlfriend Simone Abela, 18, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Mr Runza was driving through Ħamrun at 11 p.m. on Saturday without his car lights on. When the police told him this was a contravention, an argument ensued.

According to Police Inspector Joseph Aguis, the two were violent, rude, broke the peace and refused to give their particulars when asked to do so. Two policemen were slightly injured; one of them was bitten by Ms Abela and required medication.

The officer argued that they should not be granted bail because even after the incident they had continued to threaten the policemen who were simply doing their job. Defence lawyer Joe Brincat said his clients were innocent until proven guilty and bail should not be withheld to punish the accused for a crime they had not yet been convicted for.

Magistrate Edwina Grima decided to grant bail under a number of conditions, including a €250 deposit each. Mr Runza and Ms Abela did not have the money available and their lawyer decided to write a cheque himself.