The trial by jury of a man who is charged with the attempted murder of a policeman heard that the accused had told the police in a statement he never wanted to hurt the officer but was drunk and receiving treatment for depression.
Kevin Attard, 39 of Kalkara stands charged with the attempted murder of a policeman.
Superintendent Martin Sammut, who was an inspector at the time of the incident, said that Mr Attard had stabbed PC Jonathan Farrugia in the stomach.
PC Farrugia was at the police station alone, responding to telephone calls.
Mr Attard had been refused entry into Fuego night club in Paceville and punched PC Andrew St John who then called for assistance.
He was then arrested and taken to the police station, where he asked to smoke a cigarette and was given permission by PC Farrugia. He was told to stay in the station but made for the door.
As from the front desk the door is not visible, PC Farrugia told him to get inside but he tried to leave twice.
The second time, PC Farrugia approached Mr Attard and ordered him to get back inside. It was then that Mr Attard took out a pen knife and stabbed him in the stomach.
Two officers happened to arrive within minutes, saw Mr Farrugia on th floor and they apprehended Mr Attard and took the knife.
Mr Farrugia was released the following day.
In a statement to the police, Mr Attard admitted to being drunk and to having an argument with the security guards at Fuego. He also admitted to hitting one of them.
He said that when he was at the station, he went to smoke a cigarette and a policeman shouted for him to get back inside.
He said there were four officers at the time.
Mr Attard dmitted to waving the knife at the policeman and hitting him and said that he was then thrown on the floor and they began beating him up. Asked why had he been carrying the knife, he said that he was happy with it as he had just bought it.
He said that he had drunk around eight beers on the night when he should not have because he was receiving treatment for depression.
A brushed metal pen knife with a serrated edge, a blood stained shirt and a black police jacket with a small hole in it were among the items presented as evidence to the jurors.