A 32-year-old man was conditionally discharged for 18 months for injuring his brother with a steak knife following an argument in their kitchen.

Jonathan Sciberras, of San Gwann, was found guilty of seriously injuring his brother, Jean Paul, in the left hand on September 21 at about 5pm.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli heard how the two brothers, who lived in a small apartment with their parents, had been going though a phase when they were arguing a lot.

On September 21 they started arguing - none of them remembered how it started - and Mr Sciberras' brother went into his room while Mr Sciberras went into the kitchen.

The brother then went back into the kitchen to continue arguing and stood in the doorway.

Mr Sciberras had had enough of the bickering and grabbed a knife and brandished it around, slighting injuring his brother who then tried to grab hold of the knife and injured his left hand.

The magistrate took note of the circumstances of the case, the fact that the brother had forgiven him, and was aware that he never intended to hurt him, and that the accused had a clean criminal record.

Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Kris Busietta appeared for the accused.
Police Inspector Elton Taliana prosecuted