A Dutchman said he was punched by a fellow countryman after he asked whether the breasts of a woman who was nearby were natural or artificially enlarged, a court heard today.

Your Kai Smith, 24, today was charged with punching Anthony Joma Rood in Paceville on Sunday at 3am.

Smith, who lives in Marsascala, pleaded not guilty. He was given bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000 and requested to sign at the Zabbar police station twice a week and not to approach Paceville.

Testifying in court Rood, who will leave Malta on Wednesday, said that while in Paceville he heard some people speaking in Dutch and approached one of them. Dutch and English women were chatting nearby and Rood asked one of the Dutchmen whether the breasts of one of the Dutch women were natural or not.

Rood does not remember much after that as he lost consciousness and woke up surrounded by the police before being taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment.

The witness pointed to the accused when asked whether he remembers who attacked him.

Asked by defence lawyer Michael Sciriha, Rood said that the injuries he sustained were a broken lip. He is also feeling pain in his ear.

The case is beaing heard by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja.

Inspector Elton Taliana prosecuted.

Dutchman in hospital after punch-up