A father and son were yesterday charged with assaulting and slightly injuring a man who they claim was planning to elope to Italy with their 14-year-old daughter and sister.

Joseph Cardona, 39, and his 19-year-old son Christian both pleaded not guilty to assaulting and slightly injuring Owen Borg on Sunday at around 6.20pm in Zebbug.

Defence lawyer Joe Giglio told magistrate Antonio Mizzi that one Sunday morning, Joseph Cardona woke up and did not find his 14-year-old daughter at home. Several hours later, Mr Cardona and his son found the girl in the company of Mr Borg. Furthermore, he added, they discovered that the two had been sending each other numerous text messages whereby they were planning to elope to Sicily.

The father and son also pleaded not guilty to causing Lm1,136 worth of damage to Mr Borg’s car, breaching the peace and using vulgar language in public.

Magistrate Mizzi upheld their request for bail against a personal guarantee of Lm1,000 each.

Police inspector Marisa Camilleri prosecuted and Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for the Cardonas.