Man remanded in custody after allegedly punching police officer at Għaxaq feast

A 46-year-old unemployed Maltese man was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges that he assaulted a police officer and breached bail conditions imposed in separate criminal proceedings.

Daniel Mizzi appeared in court accused of attacking a police officer during the feast celebrations in Ħal Għaxaq in the early hours of Saturday morning.

According to the prosecution, police officers assigned to monitor the feast entered the local band club at around 2am to stop the music after the permitted time had elapsed.

While inside the premises, one of the officers allegedly recognised Mizzi as a person who was currently out on bail in connection with proceedings dating back to 2018. One of the conditions of that bail order required him to remain indoors during specific hours.

The officer allegedly noticed that Mizzi was outside his residence when he should have been complying with his curfew conditions.

The court heard that the officer approached Mizzi and asked him to step outside so they could speak. However, the accused allegedly refused to cooperate and instead punched the officer in the stomach.

Following the alleged assault, Mizzi reportedly fled into the crowd gathered and could not immediately be located by police.

An arrest warrant was subsequently requested and issued.

The following day, Mizzi attended the police station to sign his bail book, as required by his bail conditions, where he was immediately arrested by police officers.

During the arraignment in court on Monday, Mizzi pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

Defence lawyer requested bail.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the court rejected the request for bail and ordered that Mizzi be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Andrew Agius Bonello, while lawyer Amadeus Cachia and Ishmael Psaila appeared for the defence.