Noel Frendo, 29, and Aaron Cassar, 24, both from St Paul’s Bay, are accused of holding up a shop-owner in Qawra. The two men were recently found guilty of another hold-up on Valhmor Borg Company in Marsa, and were sentenced to eight years in prison between them.

The police are now charging them with stealing Lm1,200 from Joseph Grixti during a hold-up in Qawra.

Mr Grixti yesterday testified before Magistrate Miriam Hayman, saying that he left his residence at 7.30am. He had Lm2,200 with him, Lm1,000 of which he deposited in the bank. While driving to the office, he kept the remaining money in a bag.

At one point, a car stopped in front of him. A hooded man, armed with a shotgun, got out of the car and demanded the money.

The case continues.