One of three brothers allegedly attacked by Police Inspector Jeffrey Cilia and his barber friend, Giuseppi Farrugia, yesterday said he was having trouble sleeping and was having flashbacks.
Matthew Debono, 28, from San Ġwann, said in court that the attack, during which he sustained head injuries needing sutures, also left him with psychological scars.
He was testifying in the case against Mr Cilia, 38, from Balzan and Mr Farrugia, 39, from Għargħur who are pleading not guilty to seriously injuring Mr Debono, slightly injuring his 16-year-old brother Alek, assaulting his 21-year-old brother Omar and breaching the peace.
The incident took place on December 22 in Paceville.
Mr Cilia is also accused of assaulting Police Sergeant Ramon Mifsud Grech, disobeying orders, swearing and committing a crime he was in duty-bound to prevent.
Mr Debono said he was walking with his brothers towards his car that was parked in Swieqi when he spat on the floor. Almost immediately he heard a man (Mr Cilia) ask from behind him why he had done so.
Mr Debono said that, smiling, he turned towards the man who had called out at him and asked him why was he bothered.
Mr Cilia told him not to laugh at him and then punched him so hard that he was floored, the witness added. The officer then jumped on top of him and punched him repeatedly.
He said that he was also kicked by Mr Farrugia.
When the police arrived, Mr Cilia argued with a sergeant who had asked the officer to return his brother’s mobile phone. Mr Cilia then banged on a metal shutter belonging to the Eden Century Cinemas.
Mr Debono said he could hear Mr Cilia arguing with the sergeant when the latter told him that he would arrest him. Mr Cilia swore at him and said that he was a rank higher and it would be him who would arrest the sergeant.
Omar Debono also testified, confirming what his brother had said: that during the attack, Mr Farrugia had kicked Matthew Debono.
As he went to assist his brother, Omar Debono said Mr Farrugia hit him on the back of his head and he fell to the ground breaking three teeth.
He said he could remember seeing Matthew being beaten up by Mr Cilia and Mr Farrugia.
The case continues.