A man was stabbed seven times because he was thought to have set a car on fire, a court heard yesterday in the case of three brothers charged with attempted murder.

Khaled Mohammed Baara, a Libyan national, said that a man named Charlie, also known as Il-Boxer, had told him that one of the accused (who cannot be named because of his age) was convinced that Mr Baara had damaged his car by setting it alight. The youth believed Mr Baara was acting on the instructions of a man called Frans, also known as It-Topper.

The youth, together with two brothers - Francis Bugeja, 22, and Kevin Bugeja, 19 - are pleading not guilty to trying to kill Mr Baara. The youth is also charged with dangerous driving, Mr Baara testified before Magistrate Anthony Vella that he had wanted to clear up the matter and so went to speak to the youngest of the three accused about the incident together with Charlie. When they arrived, he found a gang waiting for him and they beat him up. He said the three accused beat him with a metal rod and a firearm.

Mr Baara is being held in preventive custody pending proceedings against him. He has admitted in a police statement to having a drug problem. The case continues.

Police Inspector Jesmond Borg prosecuted.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.