A 23-year-old unemployed man who allegedly glassed a barman in a Buġibba pub was today granted bail.

Srdan Simic, from Serbia but living in St Paul's Bay, was charged with having caused grievous bodily harm without intending to kill or endanger the life of Ryan Magro, a barman at Munchies pub. 

Mr Magro was rushed to hospital after having a pint glass smashed in his face. A friend of his said that the victim was standing at the pub door smoking a cigarette when the attack happened. Doctors said he had "almost certainly" lost sight in his left eye as a result. 

Wearing jeans and grey sweater and with his hair and beard shaved, Mr Simic sat in court today as proceedings against him got underway. 

A man who has known Mr Simic for the past four years recalled how last Saturday evening he had gone out with him and other friends at around 9pm.

READ: Barman blinded in one eye in Buġibba attack

They went to Munchies and were enjoying the music and atmosphere when according to the man, at around 1.10am a man grabbed the witness by the front of his shirt and told him to leave the pub.

The witness told the court that he had covered his face and did not know who the man was. He admitted he was drunk at the time. 

The court, presided by magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona, granted Mr Simic bail while requiring him to sign the bail book daily between 4pm and 9.30pm. He broadened the timeframe after hearing that Mr Simic is fearing retaliation from the victim's family. 

Mr Simic was told he must remain indoors between 10pm and 5.30am and cannot approach Munchies or any of the civilian witnesses and set bail against a €5,000 personal guarantee.

He was assisted by an interpreter and lawyer Robert Montalto.