A man was yesterday charged with trying to torch his brother’s trapping room, killing a number of birds in the process.

Thomas Spagnol, 42, from Żabbar, has pleaded not guilty to attempted arson on November 10 at the field the pair own in Xgħajra.

He also denied charges of animal cruelty, causing damage to the structure and relapsing.

His brother, Sandro, said they had argued on September 7 and he told the police he suspected it was his sibling who had tried to set fire to the trapping room, because he could not think of anybody else who would want to do it.

He said that next to the room in question was a smaller room where some birds were kept.

All of them died when they inhaled smoke during the attempt to set the building alight.

The witness said he had detected a burning smell when he arrived at the field and realised that the door to the room was not locked in the way it was usually done.

Defence lawyer Michael Sciriha said the only connection the police could make between the accused and the attempted arson was his brother’s suspicion.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000 on condition he does not approach the field and signs the bail book twice a week.