A 59-year-old man was yesterday charged in court with the murder that took place on Sunday morning in Pembroke at 11.30am.

Martin Gatt, from Bugibba, pleaded not guilty before magistrate Edwina Grima to firing a number of shots at, and killing, Louis Ellul, 34, from St Paul’s Bay and slightly injuring a 14-year-old girl, an unfortunate bystander.

The killing took place just as Mr Ellul, his partner and her two children, left the Pembroke church of the Risen Christ after hearing the 10.45am Mass.

Gatt was also charged with carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime, and firing shots in a public place.

Police Inspectors Silvio Valletta and Chris Pullicino led the prosecution while Dr Emanuel Mallia and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran appeared for parte civile. Dr Richard Sladden represented the defendant with legal aid.