A long binge-drinking session to celebrate the feast of St Publius landed a man in trouble with his family and with the law, appearing in court accused of injuring his brother’s girlfriend and damaging his car.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when Renald Attard, 27, from Luqa, was at the Floriana xalata, the somewhat unruly outing that is traditionally held the day after the village feast.

His lawyer, Josè Herrera, told the court that his client had been binge drinking since the morning and that alcohol levels in his and everyone’s blood led to a clash between siblings. Magistrate MarseAnne Farrugia heard Mr Attard plead not guilty to slightly injuring his brother’s girlfriend and then damaging his brother’s car.

He also denied breaching the peace and relapsing.

In his submissions for bail, Dr Herrera said the charges against his client, a self-employed electrician, were not serious, adding that he was prepared to pay for the damage to the car.

He said his client’s family had forgiven him for what he had done and that the mother wanted the two brothers to make up.

Mr Attard was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a €3,000 personal guarantee.

Police Inspectors Josric Mifsud and Kylie Borg prosecuted.