Inspector Ian Abdilla told the court that on the day in question, he was looking for Chircop because he had a warrant for his arrest. At the time Chircop was being investigated about a rape in Hamrun that had occurred during the San Gaetano feast.

“We could not find Chircop and later we were informed that he was involved in a fight taking place in Testaferrata Street,” said the inspector. He said they found Chircop and Faiz fighting with Farrugia and two police officers trying to separate them.

“As I arrived at the scene I noted a decorative sword lying on the ground,” said inspector Abdilla. Farrugia then grabbed the sword and tried to attack Faiz. The inspector said he managed to pry the sword out of Farrugia’s hand and he threw it in his car.

The inspector noted that both Faiz and Farrugia were bleeding from some sort of head injury. A police sergeant had also been slightly injured in the struggle.

The sergeant in question, John Micallef, also testified at yesterday’s sittings. He said Farrugia slashed Faiz with the sword as they were trying to keep them apart. “Faiz resisted arrest and as I was trying to handcuff him someone’s hand reached out and cut his face. This is probably when I was injured,” the police official said.

When police arrived at the scene, Farrugia had already been hurt. Faiz on the other hand was injured while the three people accused were trying to get away as the police arrived to try and calm the situation down.

Presiding magistrate Giovanni Grixti granted Farrugia bail against a Lm5,000 personal guarantee and a Lm500 deposit. The case against Chircop and Faiz was heard in front of magistrate Anthony Vella. Dr Joe Brincat appeared for Farrugia while Dr Franco Debono defended Chircop and Faiz.