Man refused bail for alleged courtroom assault on police

A magistrate has denied bail to a man who allegedly attacked three police officers in court, stressing that the forces of law and order must be protected by the courts

38-year-old Antonio Briffa from Luqa is charged with having attacked police during the hearing of a case
38-year-old Antonio Briffa from Luqa is charged with having attacked police during the hearing of a case

A Court of Magistrates has turned down a request to release a man arrested after allegedly attack three police officers in court.

38-year-old Antonio Briffa from Luqa is charged with having attacked police inspector Hubert Cini and constables Brenton Gilford and Clint Bohm on 21 February, during the hearing of a case where Briffa was one of the parties. A lawyer and the man's ex-wife, were also allegedly attacked.

In his decree denying the man's request for bail, magistrate Joe Mifsud stressed that the forces of law and order must be protected by the courts, as it was in the best interests of society that the police be allowed to work in peace. The incident was made more serious by the fact that it occurred inside the courts, he said.

Inspector Daryl Borg is prosecuting. Antonio Briffa is being assisted by lawyer Alfred Abela.