A Cospicua man was given a 18-month jail term suspended for four years and fined €1,000 when he admitted to threatening a police inspector during a court case earlier this month.

Charlston Cassar, 22, who sports a Fu** the Police tattoo on his neck, was accused of threatening Police Inspector Josric Mifsud in a bid to scare or influence him, breaching the peace and uttering obscene language in public at the law courts on December 4.

The threat was made in the presence of Magistrate Anthony Vella and journalists who were present in court to cover the compilation of evidence against Mr Cassar and his three brothers over the free-for-all fight involving some 30 people on November 11in Cospicua.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja heard how Mr Cassar apologised for his actions and explained that he had reacted the way he did because he was under stress and thought he would not be granted bail to be able to attend the birth of this child.

The court noted the serious nature of the charge that involved threatening a police officer on duty. He also noted the early guilty plea, the accused's clean criminal record and that he apologised.

The court handed down the suspended jail term and placed Mr Cassar under a supervision order for four years. He was bound not to harass the inspector for three years.

Police Inspector Priscilla Caruana and Darrell Borg prosecuted while lawyer Dean Hili appeared for the man.