It was like something out of a movie, a sergeant testified yesterday in the case against a man who was chased by the police through Marsaxlokk after failing to show them his driving licence.

Alfred Scicluna, 38, was fined and banned from driving for six months after he was found guilty of dangerous driving and of trying to seriously injure the officer, PS George Zammit, by driving at him at speed in November 2003.

The incident started when Mr Scicluna was parked in a one-way street in a tow zone and PS Frankie Sciberras asked him to show him his driving licence. Mr Scicluna replied that he was only waiting for someone, the court heard.

When he told the officer that he was not carrying his documents, PS Sciberras ordered him to drive to the police station.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Scicluna drove past the station without stopping and the police gave chase, following him through the streets until they cornered him.

When PS Zammit got out of the police vehicle to arrest him, Mr Scicluna drove towards him at speed and the officer just managed to escape serious injury by jumping into the police car. The officer described the incident as being like something out of a film.

Driving after him a second time they managed to corner him again. This time, when PS Zammit ordered him to get out of the car, the man obeyed.

Mr Scicluna denied having driven towards the officer. He said the policeman was very rude to him and that is why he left.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano, however, did not believe his version. He jailed him for nine months suspended for three years, fined him €700 and banned him from driving for six months.