A Briton who stands accused of slightly injuring two policemen told a court today that while under arrest at police headquarters he was handed a copy of the Yellow Pages and invited to choose a lawyer.

Paul Allen Sneddon, 33, was accused of slightly injured Police Inspector Maurice Curmi and Police Sergeant Ivan Mifsud, violently resisting arrest, damaging  their uniforms, disobeying orders, breaching the peace and refusing to give his correct particulars in Pioneer Road, St Paul’s Bay late yesterday.

He was taken to court this afternoon and was not accompanied by a lawyer.

Asked by Magistrate Marseann Farrugia why he had no lawyer, he said this was not a trial but only for him to plead guilty or not guilty.

He said he could not pay for a lawyer and that he could go to the British High Commission tomorrow morning.

When a woman who sat with the accused tried to intervene she was ordered out. It resulted later that she is his girlfriend and a secretary with a legal firm abroad.

Mr Sneddon was repeatedly told to keep quiet and not to insult the court as he tried to speak over the magistrate.

Taking the witness stand and asked to say on oath if he could afford a lawyer he said he could not because he said that he did not know how much one could cost.

Police Inspector Scerri said that he was offered a lawyer but he said he did not want one because he was only going to plead guilty or not guilty.

Mr Sneddon said that at the police headquarters he was handed a copy of the Yellow Pages and told to choose a lawyer. He had replied he wanted one he could have confidence in, and not some random lawyer.

Inspector Scerri informed the court that the British High Commission was aware that he was under arrest.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia ordered that he is aided by legal aid lawyer.

The sitting was interrupted until a lawyer was found.

When the sitting resumed and the charges were read out, the accused said he works at Popeye Village. He pleaded not guilty and claimed it was the police who assaulted him

Lawyer Christopher Chircop asked for bail.

The inspector objected, saying the accused was not trustworthy and he might abscond. He had a very bad temper and was a danger to himself and to others. He felt he should be seen by a professional for psychological issues.

When he heard that he should be seen by a psychologist, Mr  Sneddon gasped and said "What?" I'm not insane."

The inspector said that during the summer carnival, held in Bugibba yesterday, the accused went up to him and  asked for help. The inspector told him to file  a police report. He lost his temper and began swearing at him and insisting that he should be helped. 

The inspector said he asked him for his particulars, but the details he was given turned out to be false. There was an argument and the inspector said he was assaulted and suffered a slight neck injury. When assistance was sought, the accused was held. A police car was  damaged.

Insisting on bail, Dr Chircop said his client has suffered injuries as well. He pointed out that he works in Malta and has ties to the island. His girlfriend is in Malta too.

His injuries were documented by a doctor at a health centre, the inspector said, before adding that that same morning he had suffered injuries in a car accident.

Bail was denied.

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