Verbal insults by two young men, calling another youth a “pussy”, sparked off a violent scuffle on the streets of Paceville which landed the duo in custody and their victim in hospital.

Jordan Leli Brown, 27, a car valet and Josh Ronnie Edward Ahmed-Sone, 25, a paint sprayer, both holders of a British Passport, were staying at a St Julian’s hotel when a night out in Paceville lent a sour twist to their holiday.

It was shortly after midnight when the two allegedly got involved in a verbal spate with a young man who, after a drink too many, had reportedly been feeling sick outside a burger bar and was being assisted by his anxious sister and her friend.

The foul-mouthed duo first engaged in a verbal attack, trying to shame the Maltese youth for needing assistance by two women. As words gave way to push and shove, the sick man ended up suffering grievous injuries before his alleged aggressors took to their heels, the victim’s sister giving chase.

As the young lady caught up with the fleeing duo, one of them allegedly grabbed an ashtray and flung it, missing the woman but striking a glass panel on Baystreet Bridge, causing damages in the tune of €2,496.

The whole incident lasted minutes, but it resulted in grievous injuries for the Maltese man who was still being treated in hospital on Tuesday morning when his alleged aggressors were taken to court to answer to their wrongdoing a few hours earlier.

The two were jointly charged with slightly injuring the woman, attempted use of force, insults and threats against brother and sister, willfully disturbing the peace and the repose of inhabitants, as well as being drunk in public.

Mr Brown was separately charged with causing the male victim grievous injuries, willfully damaging property belonging to Baystreet Complex and threatening the woman with a hard object.

He was further separately charged with threatening three officers at the St Julian’s police station while attempting to bribe them with cash to prevent them from carrying out their duties.

The two pleaded not guilty and requested bail.

Prosecuting inspector Joseph Xerri objected, pointing out that the men had no ties and no fixed address in Malta where they had been on holiday, adding that they had checked out of their hotel immediately after the incident in what appeared to be an attempt to abscond.

“Bail is a right not a condition,” rebutted legal aid counsel Simon Micallef Stafrace, arguing that their passports had been submitted to the authorities. Moreover, since one of the men had Maltese parents, the two could easily rent property on the island.

The lawyer continued that the incident involved four persons who had barely met for a few minutes and all four would supply four versions of the incident.

The court, presided over by magistrate Doreen Clarke, turned down the request on the grounds that the accused had not offered any fixed address and presented a risk of absconding.

Lawyers Jason Azzopardi, Kris Busietta and Julian Farrugia appeared parte civile.