A young man with anger management issues was kept behind bars yesterday after refusing to be placed under a treatment order.

Josef Scerri, 20, from St Paul’s Bay, was arraigned following commotion in court during separate proceedings before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit on Tuesday.

It is understood that the accused stormed out of the courtroom swearing while his girlfriend was testifying. The magistrate ordered his return but he allegedly assaulted police officers, slightly injuring one of them.

Yesterday, he was arraigned before Magistrate Marseann Farrugia, charged with assaulting and threatening police officers, slightly injuring one of them, resisting arrest, breaching the peace, disobeying police orders and relapsing.

Inspector Daryl Borg objected to the request for bail, noting that Mr Scerri had several past convictions, had served time behind bars and had anger management issues.

Legal aid lawyer Christopher Chircop said Mr Scerri needed help, not a prison cell. Magistrate Farrugia expressed concern that someone so young had six convictions on his criminal record and suggested that he be placed under a treatment order.

Dr Chircop told Mr Scerri to “go for it,” however, Mr Scerri seemed confused and asked the court if accepting would land him in Mount Carmel Hospital. After hesitation, he said he was refusing to consent to the treatment order.

The magistrate rejected the request for bail in view of his refusal and his criminal record.

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