Patrizio Parascandalo, the Zebbug hairdresser who foiled a hold-up earlier this month, described to a court today how he had struggled with a hooded man who entered his shop, demanding money.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against a 51-year-old Zebbug man who is pleading not guilty to committing five hold-ups in as many weeks, all in Zebbug. He is also pleading not guilty to holding people against their will and using a firearm. His name cannot be published by court order.

Mr Parsascandalo said the man had entered his shop, pointed a pistol at him and demanded money. He opened the till and gave him some cash.

The hooded man then pointed his gun towards other people in the salon and then pointed it at a 12-year-old boy who was in the shop, before pointing it back at him (Parsascandalo).

At this point, Mr Parsascandalo said, he tried to wrestle it out of his hands. They fall onto a glass partition, the glass smashed, and they fell to the floor.

In the struggle, the man's hood came off.

The thief then ran out and Mr Parascandalo said he gave chase. He spotted his mother's cousin on the road and he joined him in the chase.

A few minutes later they saw the thief turn into a side street and they continued to run after him. The man pointed the gun aggressively at both of them and they turned and ran away, giving up the chase.

When asked by the prosecution whether he could identify the thief, Mr Parsascandalo identified the accused.

His cousin also testified, corroborating the testimony.

Karen Delmar, an employee, said she had been washing a client's hair when the hooded man walked into the shop. Mr Parsascandalo gave him some money but the thief indicated he wanted more.

When she saw that Mr Parascandalo was about to get into an argument with him, she ran out of the shop to call for help. When she returned, the police were already on site, and she saw broken glass on the floor.

The case continues.