A 20-year-old deaf man was yesterday conditionally discharged for two years after he admitted assaulting a police officer in St Julian’s at around 3am on Sunday.

Justin Debattista, from Mosta, accompanied by a relative in court, pleaded guilty to hitting Police Constable Clayton Azzopardi and resisting arrest.

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt said this was the first time that his client had ever been to court and linked the incident to another between the officer and Mr Debattista’s brother.

Police Inspector Daryl Borg said the accused had actually punched the officer in the face.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman conditionally discharged Mr Debattista for two years.

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