A drunk man refused to leave a Marsa bar at closing time and ended up seriously injuring a barmaid after flinging a bottle at her head, prosecutors told a court on Tuesday.

The allegedly troublesome customer, 31-year-old Mussie Amare Kiflom, had been warned to keep away from the establishment just a few days before.

He was denied bail on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to grievously injuring the bartender, using force against her and her employer, insulting and threatening the alleged victims.

Mr Kiflom, a supermarket employee who lives in Msida, had returned to the bar on Sunday despite the owner having told him to stay away, prosecutors said. He then refused to take his leave at closing time, sparking off an argument during which he allegedly threw a bottle at the bar owner, missing his target.

A second bottle hit the barmaid, who ended up with serious injuries to her head and palm which required suturing, prosecuting inspector Stacy Attard explained.

A request for bail was made by defence lawyer Noel Bartolo who explained that his client had been acting under the influence of drink.

“All he knew was that he threw a bottle,” the lawyer explained.

However, presiding magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech turned down the request for bail since civilian witnesses were still to testify.