The three 20-year-olds – Ludwig Cassar, from Ibrag, Daniel Cachia, from Msida and Mark Borg, from Swieqi – together with a 17-year-old from Swieqi were charged with threatening and assaulting police officers at 12.15am last Sunday.

They were also accused of disobeying police orders, damaging the officers’ uniforms and challenging them to a fight. The young men were also charged with breaching the peace and blaspheming in public. The 17-year-old allegedly injured one of the officers slightly while Mark Borg was accused of causing serious injuries to one of the police officials involved in the struggle.

The four were granted bail against a Lm5,000 personal guarantee each.

Inspector Carmel Abdilla prosecuted.