Arraigned over violent behaviour

A man was escorted into a courtroom wearing a surgical mask after spitting at policemen several times during his arrest.

George Grech, 48, was accused of threatening and assaulting Police Constables Mario Spiteri and Daniel Micallef who found that he was drunk at the Mosta health centre yesterday.

PC Spiteri was slightly injured after receiving a blow to his forehead as the accused resisted arrest.

Sources said Mr Grech, who turned out to be a handful, was taken to the Mosta police station, where he broke a bed in his cell and used parts of the bed to bang loudly on the cell door while uttering a string of obscenities.

He was also charged with stealing three bottles of whisky on as many occasions over the past days from an outlet called Breadmill in Mosta Road, St Paul's Bay.

Mr Grech pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Audrey Demicoli remanded him in custody.

Senior Police Inspector Paul Bond prosecuted.

Lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores was defence counsel.