Saviour Bugeja, 47, from Zejtun, is charged with setting fire to the front door of Joseph Gafa’s house in Triq il-Kajjikk, Marsaxlokk, on 28 March 2000. Mr Gafa was the defendant’s boss at the Malta Drydocks and the two were not on good terms.

Mr Bugeja is also charged with endangering the lives of Mr Gafa’s next-door-neighbours, who were inside their houses at the time, and with damaging Mr Gafa’s property.

According to the bill of indictment, the police immediately suspected Mr Bugeja and when they went to his house, they found him in his garage wearing slippers (papocc) that smelt of petrol.

The police also found that the defendant’s car engine was still hot, indicating that it had been used some time earlier.

The trial is being held in front of Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono. The accused requested that his case not be heard by a jury but just by the presiding judge.

Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Manuel Mallia are appearing for the defendant.