Two men, who were caught with balaclavas and a pistol in their car after acting suspiciously, were yesterday jailed for six months.

Police officers were driving through Buġibba behind 32-year-old Mariano Pirrone from Naxxar and Alexander Gialanzè Whiteford, 27, from Ħamrun when the driver suddenly activated the indicator and swerved to the side of the road in December 2007.

The officers stopped next to them and asked them what the problem was and they replied that the car had just stopped. The officers continued on their way but further up the road, they noticed the men drive away. They became suspicious and stopped the suspects. On searching the car they found two balaclavas, a knife, a pistol, two pairs of shoes and two pairs of gloves.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke found the men guilty of illegal possession of two weapons and of relapsing, jailed them for six months each and fined them €300 each.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit prosecuted.

Lawyers Josè Herrera and Veronique Dalli appeared for Mr Gialanzè Whiteford.

Lawyer Marion Camilleri appeared for Mr Pirrone.

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