A couple charged in court with assaulting and resisting the police were yesterday told by a magistrate that, if they put their voluminous criminal records into a book, it would be a “best-seller”.

Magistrate Carol Peralta made the comment during the arraignment of Tony Armando Zahra, 39, and his partner Tracey Borg, 40, both of St Paul’s Bay.

They were charged with assaulting and resisting two police officers who stopped them in Enrico Mizzi Street in Ta’ Xbiex on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m tired leafing through your criminal record,” he told Mr Zahra, adding: “You’ve got a bit of everything here.”

He heard Mr Zahra plead not guilty to the charges brought against him. Mr Zahra, however, apologised for his behaviour and shouldered the blame for the incident with the police.

He was granted bail against a deposit of €600 and a personal guarantee of €3,000. When his lawyer said the deposit was too steep since he was unemployed, the magistrate replied: “It’s already almost a miracle that he was granted bail. I cannot reduce the deposit.”

In a separate arraignment, the magistrate told Ms Borg that she too had a voluminous record. “If you and your partner had to put your police records in the form of a book, it will surely be a best-seller.”

Ms Borg insisted on the appointment of a court expert to examine her bruises, even though they were caused by the handcuffs. As he upheld the request, the magistrate denied bail since the police needed to examine her at their depot.

Police Inspector Joseph Busuttil prosecuted while lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Angie Muscat appeared for the couple.