Two men were yesterday charged with permanently disfiguring two other men and slightly injuring another during a fight which broke out during a horse-race.

Joseph Galea, 30, from Zebbug and Joseph Schembri, 40, from Luqa, both pleaded not guilty to the charges of permanently disfiguring two men on 16 March, at around 2.45pm in Marsa.

Before presiding magistrate Michael Mallia, both men also pleaded not guilty to slightly injuring a third man and breaching the peace.

Defence lawyer Matthew Brincat explained to the court that the fight broke out during a horserace in Marsa and then continued after.

Magistrate Mallia granted both men bail against a deposit of e500, and a personal guarantee of e3,000 each.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted and Dr Matthew Brincat appeared for the two men.