A salesman today described in court how he was attacked by a man who was trying to break into his car and was hit in the face with a broken wine bottle, suffering serious injuries.

Christopher Vassallo told Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit how he was at Paceville with his friends and decided to go home early on January 4. When he got to his Peugeot Partner that was parked in Ball Street, he saw a well-built man trying to force the door open.

He said he told Tatu Antero Oksanen, 33, a Finnish tourist, that that was his van. All of a sudden, the Finn smashed a bottle of wine he had in his hand against the car's bumper and hit him in the face with the broken bottle.

Mr Vassallo, who suffered a deep laceration to his face and required 12 sutures, was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mr Oksanen who is accused of seriously injuring him. He appeared in court with two black eyes still very visible.

"I told him that it was my van and he said no, grabbed me, smashed the bottle of wine he had in his hand and hit me with the broken bottle," he said, as he exhibited his blood-stained clothes that he was wearing that day.

Asked by defence lawyer Franco Debono whether Mr Vassallo had punched his client, Mr Vassallo denied, adding that he escaped with blood gushing down his face.

The case continues.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused; Noella and Michael Sciriha appeared parte civile for Mr Vassallo.