A plasterer is pleading not guilty to slashing a man’s hand in a fight outside the Gozitan nightclub La Grotta.

Libyan national Samir Werfali, 33, was charged in the Gozo courts with grievously injuring a countryman during an argument in Xlendi at around 1.15am on Sunday.

The men, who are both plasterers by profession, know each other and exchanged words outside the open air club. Mr Werfali allegedly took out a knife and cut the other man, who needed 10 stitches.

He also denied using a weapon against the man, threatening him, breaching the peace and being in possession of a knife without a licence. Police Inspector Frank Tabone objected to a request for bail.

Magistrate Joanne Vella Cuschieri granted Mr Werfali bail against a deposit of €1,500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000. She also imposed a number of conditions.