Martin Cassar, 24, from St Venera and 23-year-old George Degabriele from Cospicua were charged with stealing the top-up vouchers and with being in possession of an unlicenced firearm and firing it in an inhabited area.

George Degabriele was also charged with stealing a Tata Sumo and driving it without a licence or insurance.

The court, presided over by magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, ordered the men to pay a Lm300 deposit and granted them bail against a Lm500 personal guarantee.

Dr Roberto Montalto, Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Frans Debono appeared the accused while inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi prosecuted.