Magistrate Audrey Demicoli yesterday jailed Patrick Sciberras, 32, of St Paul’s Bay for eight months, and fined him €500 after finding him guilty of trafficking cocaine and using violence against Diane Zellner and a policeman.

Magistrate Demicoli said she had no doubt about the version of events as described by witnesses Ms Zellner and the policeman, whose evidence was corroborated by the bar owner where the incident occurred, and an employee at the bar.

Mr Sciberras was assisted by Dr Veronique Dalli and Dr Jose Herrera. The incident occurred on 22 August, 2010, when bar owner Emanuel Psaila had to call for the assistance of the police.

According to the evidence given, Ms Zellner went to the bar at around 4.45am to buy a bottle of water. Mr Sciberras went up to her and offered her a drink, and asked her if she was interested in sharing “a white powder” with him.

She said she was not interested and stood up to leave. Mr Sciberras grabbed the table and chair where the woman was sitting and she ended with blood oozing down her head.

When the police arrived, things seemed to be calming down but Mr Sciberras started offending the police, swearing and disobeying police orders. He also grabbed a beer bottle and threw it in Ms Zellner’s direction.

The policeman used pepper spray on Mr Sciberras and arrested him. Mr Sciberras admitted having cocaine which he had bought for his personal use. The drug was found by the police on the back seat of his car.

Magistrate Demicoli took into account the fact that the trafficking Mr Sciberras intended doing was a matter of sharing, and that he was a relapser.

Inspector Therese Sciberras prosecuted.