A 66-year-old man has been charged in court in connection with the attempted murder of a 57-year-old Raħal Ġdid man, allegedly over the use of a field for hunting.

The accused, Martin Delia, was arrested along with his 30-year-old son after the shooting took place on Saturday, 31st December in a Santa Lucija field near Addolorata Cemetery.  

In court, presided over by Magistrate Astrid May Grima, Delia was charged with attempting to murder the man as well as causing grievous injuries to the victim.

The victim was shot in the face, with the shot lead pellets causing the injuries.

Delia pleaded not guilty to the attack, with his lawyer, Jose Herrera, requesting bail.

Herrera noted that Delia was ill, suffering from kidney disease; however, prosecutors objected to the bail request due to the serious nature of the crime committed. They also noted that CCTV cameras in the area seem to have been compromised.

According to sources that spoke to TVM, the incident arose due to a longstanding issue over the use of the field for hunting.