A man was remanded in custody today after allegedly threatening a police officer with an eight-inch knife.

The case is alleged to have taken place yesterday afternoon after the band march during the St Sebastian feast in Qormi.

Marius Magri, a 53-year-old bar owner, is alleged to have gone to the police station a month ago requesting a permit to set up an open air bar.

He was told by Major George Attard that he needed to go to the Malta Tourism Authority for such a permit. By the time he went to the Authority, regulations had been changed, and local councils became responsible for such permits, but it was too late for Mr Magri to get a permit.

Mr Magri protested to the police officer and then threatened him with the knife.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius said that the accused had spent his life challenging authority and had a string of convictions going back a number of years, including threatening a mayor and the police.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke remanding the accused in custody.