Frenchman, Briton charged with assaulting police officers

Two 26-year-old foreign nationals were today charged with threatening, assaulting and injuring two police officers in St Julian's in the early hours of Monday.

At around 1:15am on Monday morning, bouncers at Havana Club in Paceville escorted French national Christopher Alfred Saliba and Briton David Gareth Jones out of the club after they caused a disturbance amongst the patrons.

When the accused hit the streets a commotion ensued. PS 1128 Glenn Sammut and PC1053 Brian Tonna, on duty at St Julian's, managed to move the two men from St George's Street to Wilga Street. During this time the accused did not cease from resisting and insulting the officers.

Once in Wilga Street, Saliba and Jones assaulted the officers causing them slight injuries. Jones also tried to bribe the officers, offering them €50 to leave. The officers are currently on sick leave.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli heard Jones plead guilty to all charges brought against him. He was handed a €4,000 fine and two years imprisonment suspended for four years.

Saliba however declared himself innocent and was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €7,000.

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.