Man charged with assaulting police officers after Valletta altercation

A 32-year-old man was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges that include assaulting police officers during an incident in Valletta on 30 September.

James Manfrè, who lives in Msida and told the court he is unemployed, was arraigned after police said three officers were assaulted while responding to an incident in Triq San Mark.

Inspector Abigail Pomroy told the court that officers had initially been called to assist after Manfrè had allegedly been involved in a fight with another man.

According to the prosecution, Manfrè was agitated and aggressive when police intervened, prompting officers to restrain him.

He was later taken to police headquarters.

The court heard that Manfrè told officers he was not feeling well and was subsequently taken by ambulance to Mater Dei Hospital.

He was initially granted police bail while receiving treatment.

The other man involved in the earlier altercation, John Pierre Farrugia, was separately arraigned and has since been handed a suspended sentence after admitting to grievously injuring Manfrè.

Inspector Pomroy told the court that while she was present for Farrugia’s arraignment, police were informed that Manfrè had been discharged from hospital.

An arrest warrant was then issued for Manfrè, leading to his arraignment.

Manfrè pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

According to the charge sheet, he is accused of offences against police officers, including causing injuries to officers while they were carrying out their duties, using violence or threats against public officials, resisting officers, insulting or threatening them, damaging property and breaching the public peace.

The charges also include alleged breaches of previous bail conditions imposed in separate proceedings.

During the arraignment, defence lawyers Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit questioned the prosecution over whether Manfrè had been intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Inspector Pomroy said Manfrè himself had claimed he was drunk, but no breathalyser or toxicology tests had been carried out by police because he was being treated in hospital.

The defence asked that a witness be summoned for the next sitting to testify about any toxicology tests that may have been carried out on Manfrè while he was at Mater Dei.

The prosecution argued that a formal application would be required for the defence witness to be summoned.

The defence countered that the court had the power to order the attendance of any witness it considered necessary.

The court upheld the defence request and ordered that the witness be summoned for the next sitting.

No request for bail was made, and Manfrè was remanded in custody.

The prosecution is being led by Inspector Abigail Pomroy. Lawyers Justine Brincat and Joseph Camilleri Azarov are appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, while a number of lawyers are appearing parte civile for the police officers involved. The accused is being represented by lawyers Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit.

Lawyer Charles Mercieca appeared as parte civile.