No bail for policeman's alleged attacker

A 40-year-old man from Vittoriosa has been denied bail after being charged with assaulting an off-duty policeman who stopped his car in St Julian's yesterday afternoon.

Magistrate Anthony Vella heard Inspector Matthew Spagnol allege that the 40-year-old defendant, Angel Attard from Birgu, is a martial arts student with a history of road rage.

Besides having served time in prison for unrelated offences, Attard had chased and assaulted the driver of a bowser, the court was told.

It is reported that Attard, a former prison inmate who has served time for committing a hold-up, had been noticed driving dangerously in the St Julian’s tunnels, in the northbound lane. Off-duty police officer Christian Agius, who had been in his personal car accompanied by his girlfriend, pulled over outside the tunnel. Police Officers' Union President Sandro Camilleri told this news portal that at that point, Attard had stopped his own vehicle, hurling abuse at the off-duty policeman, walking over and opening the officer’s door before punching him several times - despite Agius identifying himself as an officer of the law. 

This morning, the prosecution objected to a request for bail, pointing out that the road rage attack had been triggered by the off-duty policeman highlighting a simple traffic violation.

Inspector Matthew Spagnol, prosecuting, said that Attard “wanted to destroy the policeman’s face” (iħassarlu wiċċu), describing Attard as a man who had no respect for authority, as well as being a repeat offender.

The victim suffered facial scarring as a result of the vicious assault, which is understood to be permanent.

Attard's lawyer Carm Mifsud Bonnici said the accused had been manhandled by the officer, pointing out that so far only one version of events had been heard. Attard was self-employed, he said and could therefore observe strict bail conditions.

Magistrate Anthony Vella however, ordered the man be remanded in custody, saying the court was of the opinion that the accused “did not offer sufficient guarantees to merit his release from arrest.”