Soldier denies assaulting policeman, ADT official

An AFM bombardier, who also works as a part-time bouncer, appeared in court charged with assaulting a policeman and a Transport Authority enforcement officer as his car was being towed away.

Stephen Ciangura, 32, from Rabat pleaded not guilty to assaulting Police Constable Sergio Schiavone and enforcement officer Franco Buttigieg in Gozo on Thursday at 3 p.m.

He also denied slightly injuring Mr Buttigieg, threatening both of them with violence, breaching the peace and disobeying police orders.

He was further accused of having committed a crime he was in duty bound to prevent.

The court heard that the incident took place when his car was being towed away because it did not have a valid road licence on the windscreen.

Appearing before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, Mr Ciangura pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him and was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000.

Police Inspector Robert Vella prosecuted.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Manwel Mallia appeared for the accused.

Mr Ciangura is undergoing other criminal proceedings in which he stands charged with seriously injuring a partygoer while working as a bouncer at Gianpula nightclub, on the outskirts of Rabat. During the incident, which took place on the night of the feast of Santa Marija on August 15, the victim suffered a fractured jaw.

Mr Ciangura has pleaded not guilty.