A 53-year-old farmer who has been tilling a field in Lija for the past 37 years was charged with threatening to shoot the owners of the land after they allegedly bullied and pestered him to leave.

Joseph Vella was arraigned under arrest yesterday after threatening to shoot Charles Bilocca and his two sons Owen and Bernard on Tuesday.

Defence lawyer Joseph Giglio told the court that, after being pestered and bullied by the men, Mr Vella invited them to his house to discuss the matter further as gentlemen and to show them his rent book.

The rent book was Mr Vella's proof that he had been paying rent to the owners for almost 40 years.

After allegedly pressuring and bullying Mr Vella at his home, the men took his rent book and Mr Vella, it is alleged, threatened to shoot them if they do not get out of his house, Dr Giglio said.

But after a search was conducted in Mr Vella's home no firearm was found, the lawyer added.

Prosecuting Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia said that the Bilocca family will be facing criminal proceedings for their role in the incident.

Mr Vella was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €1,165.

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