A plasterer was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to having pushed a work colleague through a glass door after he insulted his mother.

Muhannad Fadlallah Ali, 31, a Libyan who lives at the Ħal Far open centre, denied seriously injuring his 19-year-old Sudanese work colleague, Rachid Awad Adam Yakub, on Thursday evening in St Ursula Street, Valletta.

He told the court the alleged victim insulted his mother while they were at work.

An argument ensued and the two came to blows.

Their argument ended when Mr Yakub was allegedly pushed through the glass door of the Harbour Hotel.

Prosecuting officer Daryl Borg told the court that criminal proceedings would also be taken against Mr Yakub.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli denied the accused bail but urged the prosecution to summon eyewitnesses in the next sitting.

Lawyer Patrick Valentino was defence counsel.