A 40-year-old man from Vittoriosa was arrested this afternoon after allegedly assaulting and seriously injuring an off-duty policeman just outside the St Julian's tunnels.

The incident happened when the man, a former prison inmate, was seen driving dangerously, weaving between cars in the north-bound tunnel.

The policeman, who was in his private car, told police that he stopped his car on one side of the road just outside the tunnel. The man stopped in front of him, got out, opened the door of the policeman's car and started hurling abuse.

The policeman told him he was a member of the police force, whereupon the man first insulted him before assaulting him, repeatedly punching him.

He then drove off the scene but was arrested a short while later.

The policeman reported the incident at St Julian's police station and was hospitalised for medical checks. He suffered several facial injuries and a broken finger.

The Vittoriosa man was arrested and later treated for slight injuries. 

Inspector Sandro Camilleri, secretary of the Police Officers' Union, described the attack as brutal and unprovoked. He said the assault on the officer intensified when he identified himself as a policeman. Such incidents, he said, would not be tolerated.

"We've had enough of these Rambo scenes on the streets, there are too many cowboys out there and we demand harsh penalties for such aggressive acts," Inspector Camilleri told Times of Malta.

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