Two men were charged with gun-related offences yesterday after a shotgun was fired during an argument on Thursday.

Terence Cini, 25, of Balzan and Stephen Borg, 32, of Birkirkara, were charged with possession of an unregistered shotgun.

Only Mr Cini pleaded guilty to the charges, which included trying to conceal evidence of a crime. He received a two-year suspended sentence.

Prosecuting Inspector ChrisPullicino said that Thursday at around 9.30 p.m., he was informed that shots were fired in Mosta and that Mr Cini and Mr Borg were involved.

He immediately sent police officers from the Birkirkara police station to Mr Borg’s residence, since bail conditions imposed in another case required him to be home by 10 p.m.

“He was not there and I told the police officers to go back there after 10 p.m. When they went half an hour later, his mother told them he was asleep in Qormi,” Insp.Pullicino said.

The officers went to Qormi where they found Mr Borg in bed. He was arrested and his car was searched.

During the search, Mr Borg told the police: “I know why you are here – you came because of the shootout,” a police constable told Magistrate Edwina Grima.

Insp. Pullicino said that earlier that evening, Mr Borg was at the home of Mr Cini – who was out – when two men turned up asking for a shotgun which belonged to them.

After they left, Mr Cini arrived and Mr Borg informed him that two men wanted their shotgun back. Mr Cini decided to take it to Mosta, accompanied by Mr Borg.

“An argument broke out and it is not clear who fired the shots,” Insp. Pullicino said.

Taking note of Mr Cini’s early guilty plea, Magistrate Edwina Grima also took into consideration his cooperation, his criminal record and that he handed over the shotgun to the police immediately.

Mr Borg, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded in custody and the presiding magistrate recommended he be placed in the forensic section at Mount Carmel Hospital.