Two men yesterday appeared in court to answer charges of burglary and detaining a 63-year-old woman against her will.

Mark Cassar, 27, from Qormi and James Vella, 26, from Santa Venera, pleaded not guilty to burgling a house in Zebbug on 24 August 2005. They were also accused of detaining Maria Cassar against her will, being in possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, being in possession of an unlicensed knife and of slightly injuring Mrs Cassar.

They were also accused of relapsing in view of previous convictions.

Police Inspector Raymond Cassar prosecuted while Dr Franco Debono and Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for the accused.