Policeman ‘bitten and spat on’

A policeman was bitten and spat upon in a police station when he tried to restrain an unruly man who had been arrested for reportedly making a scene in a bar, a court heard.

Police Inspector Carlos Cordina said Charles Schembri, 44, of Żurrieq, slightly injured the officer at the Żurrieq police station after he was arrested for aggressive behaviour in a bar on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Schembri allegedly bit the officer on the arm and spat in his face, as well as giving other officers a hard time when they tried to restrain him.

He denies slightly injuring the officer, resisting arrest, disobeying orders and failing to give his particulars to the police.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera granted the accused bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000 and a deposit of €500.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are defence counsel.