A Nigerian woman recounted yesterday how a man punched her, knocking out two of her teeth as she was queuing outside an exchange bureau, telling her he “hates niggers” and to “go back to your country”.

Faith Jezz Mohammed became emotional as she explained to a court how a man racially abused her and her friend before making her fall to the ground and punching her in the face.

She was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Joseph Apap, 43, from St Paul’s Bay, who is pleading not guilty to seriously injuring Ms Mohammed, inciting racial hatred and breaching the peace as the two were in line to cash cheques at a bureau in Dawret il-Gżejjer, Buġibba, at 11am on December 10.

I hate you, you blacks. I’m going to kill you all

She said she was waiting at the cash desk when Mr Apap, who was not queuing when she arrived, started telling her to hurry up as he did not have all day.

“He told us: ‘You fuc**** blacks, just go back to your country’. I told him to take it easy and we’ll soon be ready,” she said, adding that he then intensified his racial abuse.

“I hate you, you blacks. I’m going to kill you all. You niggers go back to your country; you’re not welcome here,” he told them. He then assaulted her, punching her in the face until the police arrived. He also threatened to shoot her and her friend.

When police sergeant Francesca Quattromani arrived at the scene, she found Mr Apap standing over Ms Mohammed, punching her in the face. She told the court she saw a lot of blood and couple of teeth on the ground.

Ms Mohammed said she lost two teeth in the attack and a third one was removed during a procedure at Mater Dei Hospital. She said the dentist there told her that having the teeth replaced would cost her €6,000.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke once again refused the man’s request for bail and he was remanded in custody. The case continues. Police inspector Maurice Curmi prosecuted while lawyer Christopher Chircop appeared for the man.