Two policemen who were accused of beating up a man charged with slightly injuring them were investigated by the Sliema divisional police on the allegations made against them.

Referring to a court report "Policeman accused of beating up man not investigated" on timesofmalta.com yesterday, the police clarified that the title and various parts of the article were misleading.

The report was on the compilation of evidence in the case against Claudio Overend, 19, of Swieqi, who stands charged with slightly injuring Police Inspector Pierre Grech and PC John Farrugia. He claims that he was beaten up by the police and his claim has been supported by an independent witness.

The police said the case was fully investigated by the Sliema divisional police and when the allegations surfaced against Inspector Pierre Grech and PC John Farrugia, both officers were interviewed under caution by the divisional Superintendent. Statements were also taken from Mr Overend and the young lady in his company during the incident.

"The investigation file reached the Internal Affairs Unit after it was decided by the divisional police that Mr Overend was to be charged by the Sliema police of having caused slight bodily harm against the two officers.

"It was also felt that no charges should be brought against the officers,. The file was eventually scrutinised by the Unit to ensure that the divisional investigation was complete. It transpired that, at that stage, no further investigations by the Internal Affairs Unit were required."