A fight between a waiter and a taxi driver outside a hotel in Floriana on Sunday left a taxi driver grievously injured with his alleged aggressor – a waiter – claiming that he had acted in self defence.

Petar Mladenovic, a 23-year old Serb working as a waiter, was arrested and arraigned on Monday, charged with grievously injuring the cab driver and breaching the peace, in the course of a violent argument that allegedly broke out at around 4am on Sunday.

The taxi driver suffered injuries to his nose and lip, prosecuting Inspector Jeffrey Scicluna informed the court.

The waiter had been subsequently arrested, claiming to have acted in self defence after being allegedly attacked by a group of taxi drivers.

The taxi driver and his wife, however, had a different version, telling police how the accused had allegedly attacked them while they sat in their vehicle, the court was told.

The waiter pleaded not guilty and requested bail, his lawyer Stephanie Abela pointing out that the man had limited financial means and worked long hours.

After hearing submissions by both parties, the court, presided over by magistrate Ian Farrugia, upheld the request against a deposit of €500, a personal guarantee of €500, an order to sign the bail book once a week and a strict warning not to approach the alleged victims, directly or indirectly.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.