A fight which broke out on 2 August between two neighbours over a barbeque held on the roof of an apartment block in St Julians left one of the neighbours sustaining fractures and the other facing a court and ordered not to leave his home.

Costel Popovici, 25, of Romania, a regular visitor to Malta and who worked as a nightclub promoter, admitted to grievously injuring Mircea Lucian Gheorghe, also of Romania. He was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000. Following the incident, he was advised by his lawyer to move house to avoid any contact with his neighbour until the matter is resolved.

It is understood that Mr Popovici organised a barbeque for friends on the roof of the block. A court heard that Mr Gheorghe went on the roof and complained to Mr Popovici over the noise levels, brandishing a knife.

The next day, Mr Popovici tried to clear the air with his neighbour who was still irritated over the noise. A fight ensued between the two with Mr Gheorghe ending up with broken ribs.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera presided over the case. Police Inspector Elton Taliana prosecuted while lawyer Roberto Montalto defended the accused.