17-year-old charged with assaulting, threatening four police officers

A 17-year-old youth from St Paul’s Bay was this morning granted bail after pleading not guilty to assaulting and threatening four police officers during the early hours this morning in Paceville.

The incident occurred this morning at about 3am, when the accused, whose name cannot be published because he is a minor, got into an argument with several security officers, after the latter refused him entry to clubs in Paceville.

The accused - who works as a construction worker and as a dishwasher – was then taken to a police van in Paceville, and questioned by the duty officers.

Prosecuting inspector Elton Taliana said that upon being questioned, the accused allegedly started threatening and assaulting Police Sergeant Chris Debono.

Allegedly, the accused also threatened three other police constables.

The 17-year-old youth pleaded not guilty to assaulting and threatening Sergeant Chris Debono, to threatening three other police constables, and to swearing.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli granted the youth bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000, and ordered him not to go to Paceville or St Julian’s. Moreover, the court imposed a curfew and ordered the accused to sign a bail sheet twice a week.

Inspector Elton Taliana prosecuted while Lawyer Lucio Sciriha represented the accused.