A Zebbug man yesterday was charged with the attempted murder of Tonio Zammit, son of Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit.

Philip Cauchi, 33, pleaded not guilty of trying to kill Mr Zammit some time between 3am and 4am last Sunday morning. He was also charged with seriously injuring the young man, damaging his property and breaching the peace.

During the request for bail, the court heard how the incident occurred at Pender Place car park in Paceville. One of the key eyewitnesses of the incident is the accused’s girl friend. Both she and Mr Cauchi are claiming that the alleged victim had been run over by a car while Mr Zammit insisted he incurred the injuries during a fight with the accused.

Prosecuting inspector Martin Sammut said that there was no doubt that at some point, the girl hit or was hit by Mr Zammit’s car. He explained that the issue was whether it was he who hit her or whether she hit the car herself while walking.

After hearing submissions on bail by the defence and the objections raised by the prosecution, presiding magistrate Lawrence Quintano ordered Mr Cauchi to be remanded in custody. He said that the girl in question is in a delicate position and there is a fear that her testimony may be tampered with.

Inspector Sammut and inspector Carmelo Abdilla prosecuted while Dr Roberto Montalto and Dr Jose Herrera appeared for the accused. Dr Manuel Mallia and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran appeared parte civile for Mr Zammit.