A disabled man who claims he was beaten by policemen in Gozo five years ago says he could only file a formal complaint last April because eight lawyers refused to take up his case.

The lawyers he had approached all told him they did not want to burn any bridges with the police.

Francis Piscopo, 55, from Marsalforn, is claiming he suffered blows to his abdomen and had the handcuffs tightened so much the blood flow to his hands was affected.

According to a letter he sent to the Police Commissioner last April, Mr Piscopo said he had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving during the San Lawrenz feast on August 7, 2010, after having moved police barriers to drive through the road leading to the main square.

He insists this was not the only time he had been manhandled by the police. There was another incident in December 2001, Mr Piscopo is claiming, and on another occasion, about which he says he remembers very little, except that it was a Good Friday, he had been hit by a wooden bar on the head.

Questions sent to Police Commissioner Michael Cassar and to the police media relations unit about Mr Piscopo’s claim remained unanswered at the time of writing.

However, this newspaper is aware that Mr Piscopo has made a statement to Police Inspector Justin Camilleri, from the police internal affairs section which is investigating the claims.

Mr Piscopo is now being represented by lawyer Anthony Stellini, a former police officer who graduated in law after completing 25 years of service in the force. It was Dr Stellini who sent the letter to Police Commissioner Michael Cassar. Mr Cassar confirmed receipt of the letter and also confirmed that an internal investigation had started.

Mr Piscopo told the Times of Malta that the latest incident had started close to midnight on August 7, 2010, when he was stopped by police officers while driving through San Lawrenz. They alleged he had moved police barriers to drive through. He was handcuffed and taken to the Gozo hospital for an alcohol test. On the way there, he complained that the handcuffs were too tight and were even scratching his skin. However, he claimed, the officer sitting next to him repeatedly elbowed him in the ribs and once even in the face.

Mr Piscopo is claiming that other officers slapped him and, when he was taken to the police lock-up, they placed him face down on the mattress without removing his handcuffs and placed a pillow over his head. Subsequently, his handcuffs were removed and he was allowed to leave at 5.30 the following morning.

He said that, later, he went to the Gozo hospital because he was in pain but the doctor there refused to x-ray his abdomen. Mr Piscopo produced photographs he says are evidence of the bruises on his body and the marks of the handcuffs.

Mr Piscopo was subsequently charged in court over the incident but was cleared of dangerous driving and of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also cleared of threatening the police.

“This incident scarred me for life. I cannot sleep well at night and it also had repercussions on my health. I had told them they were beating a sick man but they ignored me,” Mr Piscopo said.

He claimed that the 2001 incident affected his hearing after two police officers allegedly grabbed him by the legs and slammed his head on the ground when they were called in to control an argument he was having with a barman.

Dr Stellini said he was awaiting the outcome of the police investigation before deciding how to proceed.