Accused with assaulting police, claims to have been beaten

Rejecting any claims of police brutality, Police Inspector Priscilla Caruana told Magistrate Giovanni Grixti that contrary to claims by Vincent Spiteri, the accused had challenged the police to take off their uniforms and fight.

Spiteri said that he was stopped in Qajjenza, limits of Birzebbugia, on his way to visit his grandmother when he met some acquaintances. While speaking to these friends, an argument developed and he was beaten up.

When the police arrived, Spiteri allegedly continued to argue and a number of police officers were injured in the fracas.

Spiteri faced a total of 11 charges, including causing serious injury to a man.

He was granted bail against a personal guantee of €3,000.