A MAN accused of 14 criminal offences allegedly stabbed a policeman and punched another using a knuckle-duster while trying to evade arrest.
The 29-year-old Bahraini appeared at the High Criminal Court yesterday for his first hearing, where he denied assaulting officers.
According to court documents, he was apprehended by policemen who suspected his behaviour while he was walking down a street on Exhibition Avenue on October 5.
They initially allowed him to leave, however, minutes later confronted him a second time when they learnt that he was wanted in connection with 14 offences, including theft, assault and drugs.
The defendant allegedly attempted to flee on foot before stabbing a policeman with a pocket knife and attacking another with a knuckle-duster.
“We were on duty on Exhibition Avenue on October 5 when we spotted him,” a policeman told prosecutors.
“My colleague and I suspected his (defendant’s) behaviour and asked him to present his identification card.
“I did not find anything illegal on him and allowed him to leave. However, we soon learnt that he had 14 complaints against him and an arrest warrant had already been issued in his name.
“We were about to arrest the defendant when he attempted to flee on foot. We wrestled him to the ground and that’s when he stabbed me in my right hand.
“I was bleeding and the defendant also punched my colleague in the face with a knuckle-duster.”
The trial has been adjourned until Tuesday for a ruling.
The defendant was previously jailed for 12 months by the High Criminal Court in 2019 for using drugs and theft.
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