Yousri Agouri, a 31-year-old Libyan man married to a Maltese, this morning pleaded not guilty to having assaulted two policemen and escaping from their custody early yesterday.

The accused instead claimed that he was beaten by policemen.

The incident happened at Sa Maison Hill, Pieta'.

Mr Agouri also denied slightly injuring the officers, breaching bail conditions and being drunk.

Sources said the police had held the man because he was drunk. He hit the officers while handcuffed in a police car and ran off, but was recaptured after a few minutes.

After the court ordered that the accused should be remanded in custody, the man said he had been beaten up by the police. He said a policeman had put his foot on his head and beat him up. He said he had a medical certificate to prove his claims.

His wife, who was in tears, said they had two children, one of whom is two months old.

The court said its decision was final but the case would be heard with urgency. The case will be heard on Monday.

The accused then thanked the court.