An 18-year-old man who bit a policeman  was today jailed for six months and fined €4,000.

A 23-year-old who was with him was given a six-month jail term suspended for three years and was also fined €4,000.

Both pleaded guilty to assaulting three officers, and slightly injuring one of them.

The police said the officers were injured yesterday while inspecting a garage in St Joseph Street, Zabbar, having received a report about animal cruelty.

The two men, who were in the garage, were asked to step outside after the officers, from the Administrative Law Enforcement, found animals being kept in poor conditions.

The Home Affairs Ministry welcomed the judgement.