A man claimed yesterday he was badly beaten up by the same police officers he had allegedly attacked.

He thanked God he was strong and healthy because they would have killed him

Joseph Azzopardi, 43, said that on February 10, 2006, he had been beaten by at least two policemen, who also threatened to have sex with his wife in front of him.

The incident occurred close to Ħaġar Qim.

He testified that he was on his way home to Santa Lucija when he realised he had left his solid gold bracelet at the restaurant which he and his wife, who was driving, had just left and where a fight had taken place.

He said that at one point they saw a police car and waved it down, asking the officers to accompany them back to the restaurant to retrieve the bracelet.

Mr Azzopardi said the two officers in the car were immediately very rude to him.

He got out to speak to them and the one driving shifted to first gear and drove the police car in his direction, pinning him against his own vehicle.

The officers then got out and started to punch and kick him. He said that one hit him in the face with the butt of his gun.

One of the officers was called Joseph and was also known by the nickname of L-annimal (the animal).

The other was nicknamed Ginger and both were still serving policemen, Mr Azzopardi said.

Breaking into tears, he said he could never forget the incident because it happened in the presence of his two children, then aged three and four.

He told Magistrate Marseann Farrugia he thanked God he was strong and healthy because they would have killed him.

He testified more police officers had turned up and they too beat and kicked him. He spotted a snake tattoo on one of his attackers’ calves.

His wife, Sharon, gave similar testimony to her husband. Lawyer Edward Gatt appeared for Mr Azzopardi.

The case continues.

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