A 36-year-old hawker is being held in custody after being accused of trying to murder his neighbour.

The two came to blows in an apartment block in Dun Frans Camilleri Street, Hamrun, yesterday afternoon.

Justin Mula, who was arraigned before Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona denied all charges but did not request bail.

The victim suffered grievous injuries with a pointed object, which sources said was a scimitar.

The court appointed a psychiatrist to examine the accused and to consider stress caused on the accused by the by the victim. Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi pointed out that his request was not an attempt to justify the behaviour of his client on the grounds of insanity.

Sources said the two men had several arguments over the past few years.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Grech appeared for the victim. Police inspector Eliot Magro prosecuted.

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