A man who was queuing behind a Nigerian woman at an exchange bureau, but expected to be served ahead of her, was yesterday charged with punching her and knocking out her front tooth.

Joseph Apap, 43, from St Paul’s Bay, pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Faith Jezz Mohammed, inciting racial hatred and breaching the peace as the two were in line to cash cheques at the bureau in Dawret il-Gzejjer, Buġibba, at 11am on Wednesday.

Standing before Magistrate Charmaine Galea with a bandaged arm, Mr Apap kept disrupting the hearing, constantly wanting to speak.

The court heard that because he expected to be served before the woman, he started shouting abuse at her. An argument ensued and he assaulted her, knocking out her front tooth with a punch.

Given his constant disruptions and the seriousness of the crime, the magistrate denied his request for bail and remanded him in custody.

Police Inspector Maurice Curmi prosecuted while lawyer Christopher Chircop appeared for the man.

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