A 27-year-old man from the UK today was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to pay a fine of €4,000 for trying to bribe a police officer.

The incident happened on early Monday morning in Paceville when a police officer approached Michael Jones and tried to restrain him. The accused threatened the police, disobeyed his orders and offered him a €50 note as a bribe.

Christopher Saliba, a 27-year-old who lives in St Pauls Bay, also appeared before Magistate Josette Demicoli. Saliba has a French passport and works as a bartender.

He pleaded not guilty for the charges of threatening and disobeying the police and was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €7,000.

A court heard how the two men were insulting the police after they were thrown out of a club in Paceville. This happened on the night between Sunday and Monday at around 1:15am.

Mr Jones was handed a two-year suspended sentence for four and ordered to pay €4,000 in fines.

Prosecution was led by Inspector Trevor Micallef.