Brian Gialanze, 31 of Zabbar as been condemned to a two-year jail term suspended for four years after he admitted in court to having attempted to cause serious injur  on Ronald Barbara, 27 of Vittoriosa in incidents which took place in Marsascala 10 years ago.

The guilty plea was filed just before trial for jury and after a charge of attempted murder was dropped by the prosecution.

The court heard how Barbara used to go out with Charlene Scicluna, but their broke off their relationship after some 18 months.

However Barbara continued to have feelings for Scicluna, who had, however, started going out with Gialanze.

The girl told Gialanze that Barbara had threatened her and Gialenze wanted to get back at Barbara.

Their rival gangs ended up in a free for all in Marsascala on March 2, 2002 and Barbara was injured in the fight. Another fight, also over the girl, erupted between the gangs on Zabbar square on March 8 and continued in Marsascala. Barbara suffered stab wound in his stomach, a hand and his back while Gialanze was also hit with a hard object. 

In handing down judgement, Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano noted that Gialanze, admission, although he noted that this was not an early admission.