Two brothers involved in a street fight in Tarxien two days ago were remanded in custody on Wednesday after pleading not guilty to a series of charges relating to the violent episode which saw two people injured, one seriously.  

Simone Festari, 20, and his brother Valentino, 19 of Tarxien, were jointly charged with having assaulted a 36-year old man,  severely injuring him and causing a permanent debility.

Simone was separately charged with the aggravated possession and trafficking of cannabis, while his brother was charged with cannabis possession as well as with having attacked and slightly injured another 42-year old Maltese man also involved in the fight.

Reports of the fight had alleged that a ‘plastic pipe’ was used in the aggression.

Although the argument broke out in Kelinu Cachia Street, Tarxien in the afternoon, it was only later, shortly before midnight, that the police were informed about the incident by hospital authorities after the two victims were admitted for treatment.

A search in the residence of the two suspects later yielded some 350 grams of cannabis.

No request for bail was made and the two brothers were remanded in custody by presiding magistrate Anthony Vella.

Inspectors Frank A. Tabone and Hubert Cini prosecuted.

Legal procurator Quentin Tanti was legal aid counsel.