A 48-year-old man has been accused in court of reversing his pick-up van into a BMW following an argument at the Marsascala Labour Party club last month.

George Degabriele, from Msida, pleaded not guilty to causing about €4,000 in damage Jason Genovese's BMW and filing a false police report on May 8 at about 6.30pm.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale heard Police Inspector Robert Said Sarreo explain that Mr Degabriele and Mr Genovese had had an argument over money. Mr Genovese once dated Mr Degabriele's niece.

When Mr Genovese walked into the club on that day, Mr Degabriele offered him a drink. Mr Genovese turned down the offer saying he didn't want anything from him.

Mr Degabriele then left the club and reversed his van into the BMW. He then went to the police station and told officers he had rammed the car since he was scared and had put his van in reverse by mistake.

However, the officer said, witnesses said that Mr Degabriele seemed to have expressed the intention.

Mr Degabriele, who produced his disability card in court, was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000 and on various conditions including signing the bail book once a week.

"What if I forget to go?" he asked the magistrate who replied: "You can't forget or it will cost you €10,000".

Mr Degabriele, who thought the amount was too steep replied: "Maybe instead you can send me to sweep somewhere?"

Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo represented the accused.