The trial by jury of a Marsa man accused of attempting to murder a Libyan man who allegedly refused to pay for cocaine started this morning before Mr Justice Michael Mallia.

Noel Farrugia, 35, from Marsa, also known as Il-Giza, stands accused of the attempted murder of Libyan Faiz Omar el Sallak, 44, who is known as Il-Vice, on  July 22, 2010, and with being in possession of an illegal weapon.

The prosecution is alleging that Mr Farrugia stabbed Mr el Sallak in the chest in his apartment.

During the compilation of evidence, the court heard that Mr Farrugia, at the time a drug addict, allegedly took out some cocaine from his pocket and sniffed it. When Mr el Sallak saw this, he wanted some, but Mr Farrugia refused to give him any for free.

A fight quickly broke out between the two and in the heat of the moment. The weapon allegedly used in the crime was a kitchen knife.

The case is in session and will continue throughout the day today and the rest of this week.

The prosecution is led by lawyers Vincienne Vella and Kevin Valletta from the Attorney General's office while lawyers Edward Gatt and Mark Vassallo are defending the accused.