A man rammed his father’s van into a friend’s BMW in a fit of rage after he was denied a lift home following an evening at a night club, a magistrate heard yesterday.

Jurgen Schembri, 22, from Pieta`, pleaded guilty to causing more than €2,500 worth of damage to the car early yesterday morning.

The court heard that the two friends went to Gianpula together on Sunday evening. They had an argument over something which was not revealed in court and Clifton Demanuele, Mr Schembri’s friend, refused to give him a lift back home.

Mr Schembri walked all the way home but then, close to 6am, went to his friend’s house a few streets away in Ħamrun and threatened him with a knife.

He then returned driving his father’s van and rammed it into his friend’s BMW. He was arraigned under arrest before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, pleading not guilty to voluntary damage, dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence or insurance cover, swearing in public, breaching the peace, the possession of a sharp and pointed instrument without a police licence, disobeying police orders and threatening Mr Demanuele.

The magistrate put the case off to next week after hearing Police Inspector Elliot Magro say that Mr Demanuele was willing to forgive Mr Schembri.

On his part, Mr Schembri said he was willing to pay for the damage he had caused to the car. He was granted bail against a €5,000 personal guarantee and ordered to appear in court next week and stay away from his friend or any other witnesses.

Lawyer Leontine Calleja was the defence counsel.