Man refused bail after biting two police officers

A drunken man who allegedly attacked and bit two police officers who were trying to help him has been denied bail.

Inspector Robert Vella told magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech how Faraj Mohamed Faraj El Ragig, 32, from Libya, residing at Marsa had been discovered by police whilst passed-out drunk. He woke up whilst they were calling for assistance and the two officers who tried to make sure that he was all right found themselves on the receiving end of abuse and aggression, with the accused biting them both.

The officers were slightly injured and are currently awaiting test results to see if they have been infected with saliva-borne illnesses.

El Ragig was charged with attacking the police officers, insulting or threatening them during the exercise of their duties, slightly injuring them, breaching the peace, failing to obey legitimate orders and being drunk and incapable of taking care of himself in a public place.

The accused, who told the court he was an unemployed barber, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lawyer Dustin Camilleri, legal aid, asked for bail, pointing out that the accused had a fixed address and that the only witnesses were police officers.

Inspector Vella objected, however, arguing that not only had two officers been injured, but that the accused had previously been found guilty of similar offences in the past and had reoffended “at the first opportunity.”

The court, citing the man’s “visible lack of respect to the authorities,” his untrustworthiness and his total lack of ties to Malta, denied bail.