Father, son accused of attempted murder

A man and his son were yesterday charged with trying to kill their neighbour's boyfriend when they allegedly beat him with his own chunky, silver necklace.

Joseph Polidano, 49, and his son Clayton, 22, both of Kirkop pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Robert Chetcuti in Zurrieq on Sunday.

Clayton Polidano was also charged with trying to injure his neighbour Fiona Cassar, damaging his father's car and Mr Chetcuti's, driving without a licence or insurance cover, speeding and breaching the conditions of a previous release.

Joseph Polidano alone was also charged with relapsing.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima heard the prosecuting officers explain how the Polidanos had pulled off Mr Chetcuti's necklace and beat him with it.

However, defence counsel Franco Debono pointed at Joseph Polidano - who had a bandaged finger and a gauze on his left eyebrow - and insisted that it was his clients who had been assaulted with the chain.

The men were remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Walter Spiteri and Raymond Cassar prosecuted.