A young man who was having an affair with an older married woman denied trying to run over her husband and four-year-old son after she tried to end the relationship, a police inspector told a court yesterday.

The 21-year-old has been charged with double attempted murder over the incident, which occurred last June outside the Kalkara parish church.

Taking the witness stand yesterday, Inspector Robert Said Sarreo said he arrived at the church after being alerted that an argument had taken a serious turn.

He saw a black Volkswagen Golf, being driven by the accused, which had mounted the pavement.

Police investigations found he was having an extra-marital affair with a 28-year-old woman.

Their relationship had gone on for a year but when she tried to end it, things turned sour and he became violent, the inspector told the court. On the morning of the incident he argued with the woman in Żejtun, where her son was accompanying her.

He broke her mobile phone, smashed her windscreen and assaulted her.

That afternoon he went to her Kalkara apartment and broke the door down with a gas cylinder, then spotted her husband and child outside the church.

He got into his car and drove at them, the inspector said, adding that in the process he hit another car and ended up on the pavement.

During police questioning, the accused denied trying to run over the father and son.

The case continues.

Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused.