Two youths, 21-year-old Wayne Delia,
Fgura resident and another 16 year old were arraigned in court on Sunday
morning in front of Magistrate Dr. D.
Clarke.
The youths were accused of attacking and obstructing a
police officer in St Andrew's
Street in St Julian's, at
around 23:15CEST on Friday. They were also accused of injuring the
Police officer, and voluntarily causing damage to his mobile phone and uniform.
The two were also accused of breaking the Court's order of not committing
further crimes, and of breaking the public peace.
Wayne Delia was also accused of trying to corrupt the Police
officer, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and refusing to take a
breathalyser test.
The accused pleaded not guilty and were granted bail against
a Lm 100 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm 200. They
were also requested to sign at the police station.
The incident occured on Friday evening when a Police officer was attacked by
four Maltese youths who refused to do the breathalyser test. The
officer was punched in the face and head. The youths who were driving a hired
car were stopped by the officer who suspected that they could be under the
effect of excessive alcohol intake.
Following the procedures, the Police officer asked the driver to get out of
the car to undergo the breathalyser test. It was at this point that the four
youths attacked the officer who tried to defend himself. The officer who was
alone on routine at that time, called for assistance by other members of the
Police Corp who were on duty in relation the feast of St Julian.
The youths were apprehended by the police and further investigations yielded
a number of joints in their possession. Only the driver is over 18 while the
other three youths are minors.