A man was given a two-year jail term suspended for four years after he admitted to firing a shotgun at his brother during a fight over a rubble wall dividing their fields nine years ago.

Joseph Cachia, 54, admitted to injuring his older brother, Anthony, and being in possession of a firearm at the time of the incident, which took place in the limits of Żurrieq on April 15, 2006, at about 5.45pm.

He was originally charged with attempted murder but, following plea bargaining with the Attorney General, he admitted to the lesser charge of causing injuries to his brother.

Anthony Cachia was charged with his brother’s attempted murder and is awaiting judgment.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius, prosecuting, recounted in court that Anthony Cachia had reported that he was hit by shotgun pellets during a quarrel.

Asked whether he had fired at his brother, he replied in the affirmative but said he was not sure if he had hit him. Sometime later, the police were informed that Joseph Cachia had been admitted to hospital suffering from gunshot wounds to his head, neck and chest.

None of the injuries were fatal.

Both men denied shooting, the prosecuting officer said, adding that the brothers had fields next to each other that were separated by a narrow lane. The argument was about a rubble wall, he said.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia also fined Joseph Caruana €1,165.