A prison inmate who had previously escaped twice from police custody referred yesterday to the charges being faced by suspended Police Inspector Jeffrey Cilia to sustain his claim that he was beaten by the officer.

Joseph Cini, also known as Il-Pele, is accused of attacking and seriously injuring Mr Cilia and slightly injuring another officer, Constable Robert Ebejer.

He is also accused of insulting Police Superintendent Silvio Valletta.

Legal aid lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores, for Mr Cini, tried to turn the tables on the police by asking permission from Magistrate Doreen Clarke to summon the prosecuting officer in the case against Mr Cilia to testify and confirm that the suspended officer was undergoing court proceedings for aggression.

Mr Cilia was last December accused, together with Christopher Farrugia, of beating up three brothers in Paceville.

In the case against Mr Cini, WPC Sarah Zerafa testified that when the accused was arrested in October 2008 and taken to Sliema police station he kept saying in a loud voice that Mr Cilia had beaten him.

Mr Cini’s claim was quickly dismissed by Police Inspector Anthony Portelli who said that when Mr Cilia had arrested the accused, the latter was so violent that Mr Cilia tore a ligament in his arm.

He pointed out to Magistrate Clarke that the man before her had escaped twice from police custody, the latest case happening last year, and was not a trustworthy person.

The magistrate ruled that Mr Cilia’s case was in no way connected to the case before her and that the prosecuting officer would not testify about the case against Mr Cilia.

The case continues.