Matthew Sciberras, 32, of St Paul's Bay was this morning condemned to a seven month jail term suspended for two years after he pleaded guilty to grievously injuring his brother David with an air gun yesterday.

Mr Sciberras, who was born in the United Kingdom, pleaded guilty to scarring his brother's face and to being in possession of an air gun without a police licence. He was also charged with committing a crime while under probation.

The incident, in which Mr Sciberras was hit with a pellet in the forehead, took place in Triq It-Turisti, Qawra at 10am.

Inspector Edmund Cuschieri said the victim was not contesting claims that he threatened his brother with a kitchen knife. He confirmed this under oath, he told the court.

He said that it was the accused himself who filed a police report. 

Lawyer Joe Ellis, who appeared for Mr Sciberras as legal aid, requested a suspended sentence for his client.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke also confiscated his air gun and suspended his licence to hold a weapon for two years.