The brother of Twanny Borg (Il-bona), who was murdered in Marsaxlokk last month, this morning explained in court how his brother twice fired twice in the air as he chased the man who is alleged to have fatally stabbed him.

Borg was testifying in the murder proceedings against Allan Galea, who is accused of having stabbed il-bona three times.

Frans Borg said that he had been at the PN club in Marsaxlokk when he heard somebody shouting outside.

When he got out, he saw Mr Galea further up the road waving a knife in the air and shouting abuse at his brother.

His brother chased him and fired twice in the air. He then threw the gun away and continued the chase.

Mr Borg said that the firearm was then picked up by a friend of his who first told him he had thrown it into the sea but after he insisted, he was given the gun which he passed on to the police.

Mr Borg said he joined the chase and then saw his brother up against the wall and Mr Galea stabbing him twice in the back. His brother turned, and he was then stabbed in the chest.

Mr Galea then threw the knife on the ground and ran off.

Mr Borg said he continued running after Mr Galea, along with Clifton Cassar, who had been with him at the PN club.

Mr Borg said he had known Mr Galea as a friend for quite a long time, since he used to run a bar at a Luqa club. His brother (il-bona) did not know Mr Galea very well he did not know of any incident between them, except one day when the accused pulled a necklace from his brother's neck and his brother walked off in order not to cause trouble.

Mr Borg said that when he caught up with Mr Galea and asked him why he had stabbed his brother, he got a vulgar reply. He then punched the accused some four times.

(The police have said they will accuse Mr Borg of slightly injuring Mr Galea).

Court expert Dr Mario Scerri confirmed that il-bona had been stabbed three times, with the fatal blow being the one to the chest, which had penetrated the heart.

The case continues.