Man attempted to assault a tourist who refused to buy drugs, court told
The alleged incident happened early on Friday
A 24-year-old man who allegedly tried to assault a tourist who refused to buy drugs has been remanded in custody after arraignment.
Abdulraham Mustafa, a Somali national, pleaded not guilty to attempting to supply cocaine and possession of cannabis and cocaine that were not intended for his personal use.
A court heard that a group of young Spanish tourists told police officers on patrol in Paceville in the early hours of Friday that a man had offered to sell them a small packet of cocaine for €60.
When the group declined the offer, he allegedly attempted to assault them, throwing a punch at one of the men in the group.
The tourists took the police officers back to the scene and identified the suspect, who was arrested on the spot. A subsequent search of his person revealed a sachet of cannabis and two sachets of cocaine.
No request for bail was made during the arraignment.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Pier Guido Saliba assisted by lawyer Julian Scicluna on behalf of the Attorney General. Defence lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Fleur Abela appeared for the accused.