Man charged with shooting at former policeman's house

A man was yesterday charged with firing eight shots at a former policeman's house in Safi on Wednesday.

Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca told the court during the arraignment that "it was the most delicate case that he has handled so far as an inspector".

The former police officer, Martin Farrugia, 51, was at home with his wife Marianne, 52, and his daughter Charlene, 26, at about 6.30 p.m. when Alfred Polidano, 36, allegedly fired eight times at the house.

There was slight damage to the front door, windows and balcony.

Within minutes of the alleged shooting, the street was crawling with policemen from the Mobile Squad, District Police and Criminal Investigation Department and Mr Polidano was arrested.

In yesterday's arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Mr and Mrs Farrugia and a relative Paola Zammit, firing a gun in a public place and damaging the house. He also denied threatening the couple and relapsing after a short time.

Defence lawyer Michael Sciriha requested bail on the basis that there was no fear of tampering with evidence.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi granted the accused bail against a personal guarantee of €25,000 and a deposit of €5,000. Duty Magistrate Anthony Vella is meanwhile carrying out a magisterial inquiry.

Inspector Priscilla Caruana from the District Police and Joseph Mercieca from the Criminal Investigation Department prosecuted.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com, wjohnston@timesofmalta.com