The charge of attempted homicide against the former driver of Minister Manuel Mallia, Paul Sheehan, has been dropped from the list of charges.

Mr Sheehan still faces charges of causing Mr Stephen Morrison Smith fear that violence would be used against him, causing wilful damage to his vehicle, possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime, using it in a public place without authorisation and committing a crime he was duty-bound to prevent. He is pleading not guilty to all charges and is being held in custody.

Sheehan allegedly fired his weapon twice in November 2014, towards a vehicle which was driven by Mr Smith, after the latter collided with the minister's car (when Minister Manuel Mallia was in charge of Home Affairs) while it was parked in Gzira.

Smith was found guilty of drunk driving, and his license was suspended for nine months. Smith was also cleared of allegations that he threatened Sheehan and attacked him with a bottle.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja was told by the Attorney General that the attempted murder charge was being dropped, and that the case will not be heard before a jury during a sitting this morning