A 36-year-old man from Santa Venera was remanded in custody after aiming blows at his mother and brother.

Martin Cassar was arraigned before Magistrate Joe Mifsud this morning and charged with grievously injuring his brother, causing his mother slight injuries, violently disobeying police orders, damaging Ħamrun police station, breaching public peace and relapsing.

It is understood that an argument initially erupted between Joseph and Alexander - the brothers of the accused - over pipes in their mother's yard.

Their mother, Carmen, was clearing the yard in preparation for changing the yard's tiles. The brothers had agreed to dispose of the pipes but it seemed that Joseph had a change of heart.

The accused attempted to break up his brothers' argument but ended up assaulting Alexander. Their mother tried to break up their quarrel but the accused instead aimed several blows at her head. Alexander freed himself from Joseph's grasp and attempted to stop the accused from hurting their mother.

However, the accused instead aimed his fists at Alexander, hitting him above the eye. The accused then headed off to the police station where he met his mother and brother Alexander, who went there to file a report. The two brothers once again started to argue and the accused attempted to assault his brother again.

The police constable present ushered the accused out of the station. The accused, however, repeatedly slammed his hand against the vestibule door.

At one point, the glass cracked and gave way, with the resulting fragments ripping the police constable's trousers.

Legal aid lawyer Victor Bugeja submitted a request for bail, which was turned down by the court in view of the fact that the accused had no fixed address.

Magistrate Mifsud also said that his policy regarding those who were violent with the police was very clear. The police, the court stressed, were there to protect society.

The accused was remanded in custody. Police Inspector Robert Said Sarreo prosecuted.