Teenager accused of attacking two policemen

A Mercedes-driving 19-year-old with two girlfriends was arraigned yesterday after he allegedly attacked two police officers for no apparent reason.

Sean Zammit, from Birkirkara, whose two girlfriends, present in court, each hired a separate lawyer to take good care of him, denied attacking the officers on Tuesday at about 8 p.m. in his home town.

Police Inspector Elton Taliana said the officers, Police Sergeant Nicholas Farrugia and Police Constable Garry Scerri, stopped the teenager while he was driving the Mercedes and asked for his particulars. He was arrogant and also attacked them for no apparent reason, he said.

Mr Zammit pleaded not guilty to driving without a licence and an insurance, attacking the officers, disobeying orders and relapsing.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani noted that he had already been in trouble with the law before and had been given suspended jail terms.

Defence lawyers Franco Debono and Josè Herrera, insisted their client should have never been arraigned under arrest because this was a case that could have been dealt with by normal summons.

The police had to prove that it was an offence that justified an arrest, they argued. They police enjoyed wide discretionary powers, technically being able to arraign anyone under arrest, which could possibly lead to discrimination between similar cases, the lawyers added.

However, the prosecuting officer insisted that the arrest was warranted, pointing out that the accused had attacked police officers.

The court granted Mr Zammit bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 and deposit of €500. Dr Herrera asked whether the deposit could be dropped and the personal guarantee raised but the magistrate was quick to say it was a definitive no.