Massimo Caruana, 35, of Old Mint Street, Valletta today was remanded in custody after he was charged with the attempted murder of his partner’s brother - Emmanuel Mifsud – by shooting him in the leg yesterday following an argument in Triq l-Ixprun, Valletta.

He was also accused of being in possession of a weapon without a licence and threatening Alfred Mifsud, Emmanuel’s father. Caruana, who is unemployed, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court denied him bail.

The argument took place at 10.50am in the vicinity of Fort St Elmo. The accused fled the scene soon after the shooting but the police tracked him down some time later.

Police Inspector Kurt Zahra and Darryl Borg explained to the court that the victims claimed that after the accused shot Emmanuel in the leg, Caruana pointed the gun at Emmanuel’s father and told him that he would shoot him in the head.

Defence lawyer Charmaine Cherrett said that the weapon was not found and the defence team were not told what the nature of the injuries of Emmanuel Mifsud are.

A medical certificate was produced in court which showed that Emmanuel Mifsud was shot from a distance of between one and two metres.The doctors who examined Mifsud, who is still in hospital, said he had an entrance and exit wound. But the police inspectors said that investigators have not yet found the bullet.

The three are understood to have argued over some deal involving the sale of cars.