Steve Spiteri, 27 of Siggiewi, was today jailed for three years for the attempted murder of Ronnie Spiteri, of Birkirkara, in a fight in Paceville in October 2004.

Police constable Christopher DeBrincat said he had been on duty in Paceville when he was called to investigate a fight. The two men had first started to argue but he then saw Steve Spiteri try to draw something from his pocket. His girlfriend tried to stop him but he still managed to draw a .38 revolver. Holding the revolver from the barrel he repeatedly hit Ronnie Spiteri on his face. He then turned the weapon and pointed it at Ronnie Spiteri.

The policeman said he held the accused and tried to take his weapon. Steve Spiteri still managed to pull the trigger but the gun did not go off because of a fault.

Police reinforcements then arrived and the weapon was confiscated during a struggle.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera said the court found the accused guilty of attempted murder. It also noted that the accused had previous convictions of theft and assault and he had not learnt his lessons.

He was therefore being jailed for three years.