A bar manager was charged today with threatening to kill police officers who ordered him to turn off loud music at his establishment at 5.30am yesterday.

Italian national Vincenzo Brancaccio, 48, who lives in St Julians pleaded not guilty to threatening and assaulting two police officers at the bar.

He was also charged with breaching the peace, disobeying police and being drunk in public.

Police Inspector Jason Sultana said that the incident happened when the police received a report that there was loud music coming from the bar managed by Mr Brancaccio.

When the officers went there the accused threatened to kill them and assaulted a sergeant, pushing him on the floor, damaging his specs and mobile phone.

Sources said the accused threatened to burn the officers.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio said that Mr Brancaccio's partner told police she was responsible for the bar and the police should take her details. But officers insisted on taking his details so the situation escalated.

He also pointed out that recent amendments led to drastic increases in punishments in cases when public officers were assaulted. The maximum jail term increased from 18 months to four years and were now accompanied with hefty fines.

"We have harsher punishments and lighter hands," Dr Giglio said. He later asked the court to appoint a doctor to examine his client and his partner.

Inspector Sultana said that Mr Brancaccio never asked to be examined by a doctor while in police custody.

Dr Giglio added that, even dressed, some wounds were evident and it was the duty of police to refer him to a doctor.

Mr Brancaccio was granted bail against a €500 deposit and a personal guarantee of €6,000.