Francis Grech, aged 38, from Valletta pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Richard Anthony Whitlock at around 8.30pm in Valletta. Grech allegedly punched Mr Whitlock and fractured his nose while

trying to steal a bag he was carrying.

The accused was also charged with breaching the peace by shouting, blaspheming and using obscene language and relapsing in view of previous convictions.

Mary Elizabeth Whitlock, the alleged victim’s wife, took the stand yesterday and said she saw the attacker trying to hit her husband. “When I saw he was harming my husband, I swung my bag at the side of his head,” she said. Mrs Whitlock also claimed she recognised the accused from his build.

Defence attorney Shazoo Ghaznavi noted Grech is of average build and many other Maltese men could fit his description.

Sources close to the investigation said nothing had been stolen but the two men, Mr Whitlock and Grech, had been involved in a big fight. The fighting only stopped when a car drove by.

After taking account of Grech’s criminal record, presiding Magistrate Antonio Mizzi denied the request for bail and ordered him to be remanded in custody.

Senior inspector Pierre Micallef Grimaud and inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted while Dr Ghaznavi and Dr Jose Herrera appeared for Grech.