A man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a bottle following an argument in a nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning was yesterday granted bail against a personal guarantee of €1,000.

Michael Bartolo, 25, pleaded not guilty to attacking and slightly injuring PC Kevin Buhagiar at a 3.30 a.m. in St George's Road in St Julians.

He also pleaded not guilty to assaulting him, breaching the peace, disobeying orders, swearing in public, throwing a bottle at the officer and running dangerously through a crowd.

Sources said Mr Bartolo had tried to stick up for his friend who had been involved in an argument inside the nightclub a few minutes earlier, and the two were seen out by bouncers.

Outside the club Mr Bartolo got into an argument with police who intervened, the sources said.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani granted the man bail against a personal guarantee of €1,000 after taking into consideration that there will be no tampering with evidence since the victim is a police officer.

Lawyers José Herrera and Veronique Dalli appeared for the accused.