A 21-year-old man this afternoon admitted to assaulting the police and resisting his arrest in Paceville on Saturday night but denied being in possession of cocaine.

Emerson Camilleri, 21, from Msida, assaulted the police during the course of an arrest in St George's Road at 1am on Sunday, he told a court.

As he pleaded guilty to the charges brought against his client, defence counsel Arthur Azzopardi asked the court to appoint an expert to examine the substance the prosecution is alleging is cocaine.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale acceded to the request and appointed chemist Godwin Sammut to conduct tests on the substance.

He also upheld a defence request for bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000. The accused was also ordered to stay away from Paceville and St Julian's and to be indoors at 8pm every day.

Police Inspector Carol Fabri prosecuted.

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