Attempted murder charge

A fruit and vegetable vendor was yesterday charged with the attempted murder of a 13-year-old boy he allegedly shot between the eyes with an airgun last Monday. Kenneth John Marshall, 31, of Pietà, told the police he took the airgun, whose laser...

A fruit and vegetable vendor was yesterday charged with the attempted murder of a 13-year-old boy he allegedly shot between the eyes with an airgun last Monday.

Kenneth John Marshall, 31, of Pietà, told the police he took the airgun, whose laser pointer is prohibited and illegal, to his shop in Hookham Frere Street, Guarda­mangia to shoot mice, sources said.

Two boys, one of them just seven years old, walked into the shop when he fired the airgun, hitting the older boy between the eyes.

Arguing that their client cooperated with the police, defence counsel Chris Cardona and Mark Vassallo asked for bail.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia turned down the request on grounds of the possibility of influencing the two young witnesses. Mr Marshall was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted.

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