A 14-year-old boy today was charged with two separate stabbings that took place within a week.

The Msida teenager, who cannot be named on court order, pleaded not guilty in both cases, claiming that he acted in self-defence.

The youth was arrested on 27 July following an incident in Locker Street, Sliema. An Englishman, aged 21 and resident in Mosta, had been injured in a stabbing incident in an apartment.

Both had received treatment for injuries sustained.

In a hearing on Saturday morning, a court was told that the 14-year-old had been involved in another incident involving a knife a few days before. 

That violent incident had taken place in Pietà and had been reported to the police by the 14-year-old himself, the prosecution said. 

That incident had involved a 24-year-old man who had later given the police a different version, the prosecution told the court.

Magistrate Monica Vella upheld a request for bail, under various conditions, which include a deposit of €500, a personal guarantee of €3500 and a warning not to approach the alleged victims who are still to testify. 

Inspectors Jessica Bezzina and Roderick Attard prosecuted.