Updated 3.25pm

A second bouncer charged in connection with a violent New Year's Eve beating in Paceville did not have a licence to work as a security guard, a court has heard.

Ryan Zammit, 26, from Gżira was charged with causing victim Idriss Ahmed Adem grievous bodily harm, breaching the peace and working without a licence.

The accused denied the charges when he appeared before Magistrate Joseph Gatt on Friday afternoon and broke into tears, sobbing loudly after his bail request was denied.

The attack on the Sudanese student was filmed by shocked onlookers as at least five security guards kicked, hit and struck the victim with what appeared to be retractable batons outside a nightclub on St Geroge's Road.

Inspector Brian Xuereb told the court that police identified Zammit through the footage of the attack, which was first published on Lovin Malta.

Police arrested him on Friday morning after obtaining a warrant from the duty magistrate. He has an untainted criminal record. 

The prosecution objected to a bail request, mainly until civilian witnesses, including the victim, testified and because the charges were serious.

Attorney General lawyer Etienne Savona highlighted the gravity of the case stressing that the victim was beaten while on the ground. The person who filmed the incident is also still to testify.

Ryan Zammit was identified from the footage of the attack, police told the court. Photo: Facebook

Defence lawyer Herman Mula rebutted, saying that "gravity does not depend on media coverage", insisting that "the court should not be influenced by this".

"Most of such cases of grievous bodily harm are not charged under arrest even though there are usually many civilian witnesses in a fight," he added. "God forbid is all such cases, especially those in Paceville, are charged under arrest! Duty magistrates would face some 50 cases daily if that were so."

The court denied bail, assuring the defence that the court is not influenced by media visibility but deemed that the case is still at a premature stage.

At this point, Zammit burst out crying, prompting his mother, lawyer and inspector to approach him and tell him to calm down. He then sat on the bench, with his face between his hands, sobbing loudly.  

The court also issued a protection order in favour of the victim. Lawyer Giuliana Magro Conti also appeared for the Attorney General. 

On Thursday a 21-year-old bouncer from Albania and living in St Paul's Bay was the first to be charged over the attack after he was arrested as he attempted to board a flight out of the country.

Riald Gragjevi was the first of the group of bouncers to be charged. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Riald Gragjevi denied the charges and insisted he was a victim because Ahmed Adem had stabbed him with a broken bottle. Police are also investigating the victim in connection to the security guard's injuries.

The victim also published a video showing that he had tried to get the police to intervene with an issue he was having with the club bouncers before the beating. 

The Home Affairs Ministry has condemned the violent attack, saying that having a licence to work as a security guard is not a carte blanche to commit violence.

Kerber Es Ltd, the company responsible for some of the bouncers involved in the incident, has declined to comment due to ongoing police investigations.