The wife of a Labour member of parliament yesterday told a court her neighbour had broken a glass pane on the back door after shouting he meant to kill them for what they had done to his father.

Josephine Mizzi, wife of Labour MP Joe Mizzi, said they had had an argument over politics with their neighbour's father some five years ago but had never had any problems with his son, Mark Anthony Buttigieg, until last month.

Mrs Mizzi testified before Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona in the compilation of evidence against Buttigieg, 30, of Kalkara, who is pleading not guilty to causing less than Lm50 damage to the back door of the Mizzis' house and threatening them in Kalkara on April 16.

Buttigieg, a police constable, is also pleading not guilty to breaching the peace and committing a crime he was duty bound to prevent.

Josephine Mizzi yesterday explained that at the time of the incident she was at home with her daughter and her boyfriend. They were out in the garden, preparing to take their pets in for the night.

She explained that the garden had a back door made of metal and panes of thick, opaque glass that led on to the road where Buttigieg lived.

Earlier, Joe Mizzi took the witness stand and explained that he was in a meeting when he was informed that a policeman who lived close to his house had tried to break into his house while his family was there.

He left the meeting immediately and went home to find his wife in a state of shock.

He Mizzi said he thought the damage ranged between Lm10 and Lm50.

Superintendent Lawrence Cutajar explained how he was informed that the person responsible for the break-in was at the Cospicua police station.

When he went there he saw Buttigieg, who released two statements in which he admitted breaking the glass pane.

The case continues.

Police Superintendent Lawrence Cutajar and Inspector Alfred Mallia are prosecuting.

Dr Joseph Giglio and Dr Richard Sladden are appearing for the defendant.