A Spanish man was arrested this morning when he assaulted police officers who were called for assistance after a breach of public peace report.

The police said that assistance was sought when one of the residents in a hotel in Schreiber Street, St Julian’s, was causing some disturbance at around 5.30am.

The officers approached the man who accepted to leave the hotel but, two hours later, he returned. Hotel employees tried to block him from entering and the man, aged 32, toppled a motorbike which was parked in front of the premises, the police said.

Police assistance was called for again and, this time, the man insulted the officers and ran away. The police gave chase and he was caught in Gort Street, but attempted to free himself by kicking at the officers, spitting at them and attempting to bite one of the policemen while also tearing part of another’s uniform.

The police was taken to the St Julian’s police station under arrest and he was found to be in possession of what is believed to be illicit drugs.

He was then transported to the police lock-up in Floriana and is expected to be charged in court tomorrow.