A police officer, 20-year-old Brandon Nasem Elsrmani, was accused of assaulting a man he observed with his former girlfriend in Żurrieq earlier on Sunday.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras listened to Police Inspector James Mallia describe the escalation of a disagreement into a physical altercation.

As a result, Ryan Allen Attard suffered a broken nose.

Elsrmani faced charges of inflicting bodily injury, perpetrating an offence he was professionally obligated to prevent, and disturbing public peace.

He pleaded not guilty.

The court set bail with multiple stipulations, such as a €1,000 deposit and observance of a curfew. A protective order was additionally granted for Attard, and Elsrmani was prohibited from contacting or getting close to either Attard or his former girlfriend.

The defence team consisted of lawyers Franco Debono and Francesca Zarb.