The man who this morning was restrained by police after an argument ensued between him and the  magistrate hearing his case was arraigned in court this evening and charged with offending and assaulting Magistrate Miriam Hayman, and assaulting a number of police officers.

Gozitan born Pasqualino Cefai pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Since he is currently serving time in prison over a separate case, a request for bail was denied by Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona.

Lawyer Noel Bianco defended the accused.

In comments to the media after the sitting which only lasted a few minutes, the accused said that he wants to start over again and is given time to do so, hoping that he will not continue to find any obstacles while doing so.

He was arraigned at 7.10pm.

Earlier

Gozitan born Pasqualino Cefai who was jailed for seven years for violent assault in a court room in Gozo, today attempted to attack Magistrate Miriam Hayman at the Law Courts in Valletta.

He was undergoing proceedings in a separate case on charges regarding bank overdrafts.

He was restrained by five police officers present in the court room while members of the RIU were called in for assistance. At one point, Pasqualino's jacket was torn.

The stabbing incident, for which Pasqualino was jailed, and which had taken place in Gozo’s courts in the presence of Magistrate Josette Demicoli, had shocked Gozitan lawyers who had condemned the slack security at the courts, saying they were ready to take action until it became safer and were even prepared not to appear at any sittings.