A monti hawker is pleading not guilty to slashing a man in an argument over a watch.

Bjorn Grima, 28, of St Paul’s Bay, was arraigned yesterday and pleaded not guilty to attempting to seriously injure Anthony McKay and being in possession of cocaine at City Gate, Valletta, at about 1.30pm on Saturday.

Police Inspector Kylie Borg said that eyewitnesses gave a description of the accused and the police mounted a search. However, Mr Grima eventually turned himself in at the police station.

In court, Mr Grima also pleaded not guilty to threatening Mr McKay, being in possession of a weapon, breaching the peace and previous bail conditions and relapsing. His lawyer, Franco Debono, requested bail, noting that the victim had sustained slight injuries in what started out as a verbal argument over a watch.

The prosecuting officer agreed that the injuries were considered to be slight but pointed out that a knife had been used. She objected to bail being granted because witnesses still had to be heard. Magistrate Gabriella Vella granted Mr Grech bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €5,000. She ordered him to stay away from the victim and his family.

Lawyer Mario Spiteri also appeared for Mr Grech.