A cashier told a court today how she ran off in panic instead of handing cash to a knife-wielding man during a hold-up on April 3.

She was among customers and shop assistants who this morning described the commotion during a hold-up at Greens Supermarket in Ta' l-Ibrag.

They gave their descriptions during the compilation of evidence against Jesmond Portelli and Manuel Ciappara, both 27, who stand accused of committing the hold-up, stealing some €2,500 and making unlawful use of weapons. The two were allegedly caught in Naxxar by the police after a chase along the coast road.

Cashier  Beverly Walker said a hooded man suddenly came up to her and amid swearing demanded cash. The man was carrying a knife. However instead of handing him the money, she ran out of the shop. 

Diane Debono, another cashier, said a man threatened her with a knife and grabbed the cash from her till. He also took cash from the other till after the cashier ran out.

Customer Nicholas Pillow said that as he was about to enter the supermarket, he saw a white car parked outside and the two men running towards it, with the supermarket owner in pursuit. He joined in the chase but the two drove off.

He also recalled having seen a man trying to cover the car's number plate with tape. He said that one of the two men involved was hooded, and he only saw the second one from the back as they drove off at speed.

Jonathan Sammut, who has a farm close to Greens, said he saw a car stop outside Greens and noticed that its number plate was covered with tape.  Suddenly there was a commotion and he saw two hooded man race out of the shop. One of them carried a knife. The men drove off in the car.

Matthew Sammut, who was shopping in nearby shop said he also saw two hooded men rush out of the supermarket and drive off in a white car. He said that his father followed them in a van but lost them after a short while.

At the end of the sitting both accused were refused bail.