Two men were yesterday charged with stealing a firearm from Siggiewi as well as being in possession of this weapon without a licence issued by the police commissioner.

Alexander Caruana, 21, and Jurgen Bugeja, 28, both from Zurrieq, were charged with stealing a Benelli shotgun. Mr Caruana alone was also charged with hunting outside the hunting season while Mr Bugeja was charged with being in possession of protected species of birds.

Before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, the two men pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Police inspectors Alexander Millo and Kevin Farrugia prosecuted while Dr Franco Debono and Dr Stefano Filletti appeared for the defendants.