A man was yesterday charged with trying to steal a car in St Luke’s Road, Guardamangia and to assaulting a police constable on Wednesday at 2pm.

David Lineker Micallef, 19, from Birkirkara, was charged with trying to steal a Hyundai Getz parked close to hospital and with damaging the car. He was also charged with threatening, assaulting and disobeying Police Constable Rudolph Mallia as well as with slightly injuring him.

Mr Micallef was also accused of relapsing and committing a crime during the operative term of a suspended sentence.

Before magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, Mr Micallef pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. He was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm2,000 and a condition that he begins a residential drug rehabilitation programme immediately.

Police Inspector Mario Tonna prosecuted while Dr Chris Cardona appeared for the accused.