Six shots fired in hold-up, court hears

A young man was yesterday charged with trying to kill the owner of a mobile phone shop in Birkirkara, firing several shots at him during a hold-up on Monday evening.

Six shots were fired in all but the last misfired, the court heard. The attack left shop owner Charles Zammit seriously injured with wounds to his left arm and left side. The gun has yet to be found.

After an intense investigation, the police were led to the alleged assailant, Jonathan Coleiro, 24, two days later at his home in Cospicua and arrested him. Police work yielded another suspect who has still to be arraigned, believed to be the driver of the getaway car.

Mr Coleiro, standing expressionless in the dock yesterday, pleaded not guilty to the charges of attempted murder and stealing over €2,239 worth of electronic equipment, damaging the shop and carrying a firearm without a licence and in a residential area.

During submissions on bail, Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia pointed out to Magistrate Anthony Vella that Mr Coleiro had fired directly at the victim, a point the inspector drove home by holding out his arm to mimic the action of firing a gun.

Police Inspector Keith Arnaud told the court the accused had already been found guilty of drug-related charges in 2007 and was then given a three-year suspended jail term.

He added that Mr Coleiro tried to escape when the police raided his home. After taking into consideration his criminal record and the nature of the charges, Magistrate Vella ordered that Mr Coleiro be remanded in custody.

Police sources said the other man being held had driven to the Birkirkara police station to report that a man had jumped into his vehicle, held a pistol to his head and told him to stop outside Mr Zammit's shop.