Two men were this morning charged with being in possession of a shotgun, which they had failed to register with the police.

Stephen Borg, 32, of Birkirkara, pleaded not guilty to the charges while Terence Cini, 25, of Balzan, filed a guilty plea.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino that at 9.30 p.m. on Thursday he was informed there had been a shootout in Mosta and that Mr Borg and Mr Cini were involved.

He sent a police officer on site and asked the Birkirkara police to go to Mr Borg’s residence.

According to a set of previously imposed bail conditions, Mr Borg has to be at his residence by 10 p.m.

When the police arrived at Mr Borg’s house, his mother told them that he was sleeping at a place in Qormi, where they found him. They woke him up and arrested him.

Inspector Pullicino said that the weapon was fired during an argument between four people, who included Mr Borg and Mr Cini. It is not clear who fired the shotgun.

Mr Cini, who pleaded guilty, was given a two-year jail term suspended for four while Mr Borg, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded in custody until his case continues.

Mr Borg also pleaded not guilty to breaching bail conditions.

Magistrate Edwina Grima recommended that Mr Borg would be kept at Mount Carmel Hospital’s Forensic Unit, according to his lawyers’ request.