It took two police officers to remove a man’s hands from his girlfriend’s throat on Thursday night, a court heard.

Ironically, the alleged attack happened in the same street where an anti-domestic violence protest was held hours later.

The couple had just emerged from the Labour Party club in the capital’s main road at about 12.30am after having a few drinks when Anthony Galea, 48, from Qormi punched the woman in the face before trying to strangle her, Police Inspector Godwin Scerri said.

After receiving an anonymous call, Police Sergeant Glen Carabott and Constable Christopher Cutajar rushed to the scene and found Mr Galea holding the woman by the throat so tightly that they had to pull his hands away. He was pressing her airway, the officer said.

She suffered severe bruising to her neck and injuries to her nose, he added.

Standing in the dock sporting tattoos on his arms and a blood-stained T-shirt, Mr Galea pleaded not guilty to attempting to kill the woman, slightly injuring her, breaching the conditions of a previous release, disobeying court orders, being drunk in public and relapsing.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman said there was no point making a bail application because it would not be entertained. She remanded the man in custody.