Joseph Scerri, 58, was arraigned in court on Wednesday over charges including insulting, threatening, or committing an offence against persons lawfully charged with a public service, as well as attacking or forcibly resisting the same officers.

He also faces charges of causing slight bodily harm.

On 4 October at 7:50pm, police were informed of a disturbance coming from a residence in Ħamrun. An RIU patrol was dispatched to the scene, where officers heard someone shouting for help from behind the front door.

As no one opened the door, officers forced their way inside, where they heard a man groaning in distress. The man was holding a pair of scissors and a piece of plastic and refused to cooperate with police until he was arrested on the spot.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

The defence requested bail, but the prosecution objected, citing the gravity of the charges and highlighting that RIU officers dispatched to assist ended up injured.

Pointing to the accused's lengthy police conduct, the prosecution argued we cannot live in a society where an officer goes to help a citizen, only to end up getting injured.

Lawyer Martina Herrera remarked Scerri was never accused of violence in the past, and further argued that keeping him remanded in custody while court proceedings drag on will essentially serve no purpose.

The court rejected the request for bail, citing that the court has no peace of mind that the accused will adhere to conditions imposed on him.

Inspectors Miriam Lia and Sarah Kathleen Zerafa prosecuted, while lawyer Martina Herrera appeared for Scerri as legal aid.