A local man will appear before the Magistrates’ Court this morning after allegedly swinging a machete at Royal Gibraltar Police officers in the Upper Town.

Ziade Attou, 35, of Paradise Ramp, was arrested for multiple offences by Response Team officers, following the incident just after 8pm on Saturday evening.

Officers were dealing with another matter when they observed Attou at the bus stop opposite Police Barracks, sliding a knife into his waistband.

After asking him to stop, he then approached officers brandishing a 30cm-long machete-type knife at them.

Attou then ran off up Willis’s Road with the officers giving chase, during which he is said to have swung the weapon in the direction of one of the officers.

He then discarded the knife and was arrested, before being taken to New Mole House Police Station. Later in police custody, Attou spat in an officer’s face, for which he was further arrested.

Last night, Attou was charged with attempted Grievous Bodily Harm/Wounding with Intent, Resisting/Obstructing Police, two counts of Assault on Police and Carrying an Offensive Weapon in a Public Place.

He was kept at New Mole House until his appearance at the Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday). 

Richard Ullger, Commissioner of Police, said: “I’d like to praise the great observation skills and actions of the officers involved, for putting their lives at risk in helping to protect members of the community.”