Alfred Farrugia, 39, from Marsa, was accused of trying to seriously injure Joseph Bartolo at around 2pm on 5 August by shooting at him. He was also charged with carrying and using an unlicensed firearm and breaching the peace.

Farrugia admitted the charges, but the alleged victim, Mr Bartolo, told the court he had not been in any imminent danger because the accused had not actually shot in his direction, but had shot at the ground close to him.

In light of this, and because of Farrugia’s cooperation and his early guilty plea, the court, presided over by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, ruled the man should be given a suspended sentence and a fine.

The court also ordered Farrugia not to approach Joseph Bartolo for a year and asked the Police Commissioner to not issue the man with a licence to carry or own a firearm for the next five years.

Inspector Roland Cassar prosecuted.