A man was charged yesterday with damaging a police car and disobeying police orders during an incident that took place when officers were about to arrest one of his friends.

Alexei Zerafa, 23, from Marsaxlokk, was charged with damaging the police car, disobeying the police, breaching the peace, forming part of a group of people with the intention of committing a crime and possessing ecstasy pills.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him and was granted bail by Magistrate Doreen Clarke against a deposit of Lm200 and a personal guarantee of another Lm200.

Police Inspector Dennis Theuma prosecuted while Dr Mark Mifsud Cutajar appeared for the accused.