Two men plead not guilty to threatening officers

Two men this morning pleaded not guilty to threatening several police officers at 1.20 a.m. yesterday at The Godfather bar in Sta Venera.

Bar owner Gilbert Dimech, 32, of Sta Venera and Freddie Mansueto, 32, of Floriana were also charged with disobeying police orders and breaching the peace.

The police said that at the time, the bar, the licence of which sets that music should stop at 11 p.m. and that it had to close by 1 a.m., the bar was still open and music was still playing.

When the police tried to stop the music and close the bar, trouble ensued with the two men verbally threatening the officers that they would seek revenge.

Mr Dimech alone also pleaded not guilty to playing loud music and causing a disturbance to residents, allowing the bar to remain open and not adhering to the licence conditions.

He was also charged with being a relapser.

Both were granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000 each.