Man remanded in custody after refusing to pay for groceries
Man assaulted police officers in tussle to be brought under control
Salah Adam, born in Chad, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to assaulting police officers and slightly injuring one of them at the Lidl outlet in Qormi.
Earlier this morning, at around 7:30am the accused went shopping from Lidl in Qormi but refused to pay for his purchases. An argument ensued with the store's security staff who requested police assistance.
As the officers entered the Lidl shop the accused took three whiskey bottles off the shelves and threw them in the direction of the police. Police sergeant Dennis Agius was hit by one of the bottles and suffered slight injuries. Joseph Xuereb and Ivan Mercieca were also slightly injured.
Appearing in the hall of Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, the accused informed the court he did not want to be assisted by a lawyer and pleaded not guilty. Prosecuting inspector Roderick Agius charged the 30-year-old with putting the life of PS Agius in manifest jeopardy, assaulting police officers, disobeyed police orders and slightly injuring the three me.
Considering Adam's claim of being not guilty and noting has no fixed address, Magistrate Grixti remanded the accused in custody.
Inspector Roderick Agius prosecuted.