No gunshot residue was found on the three balaclavas and two boiler suits following the shootout outside the Mid-Med Bank Swieqi branch , forensic expert Anthony Abela Medici told a court today.

Testifying in the trial by jury of George Xuereb, 49, of Marsa, known as it-Tiġieġu, who is accused of having been one of the robbers who attempted a hold-up on the Swieqi Mid-Med Bank branch in March 1996, Dr Abela Medici said gunshot residue found on the boiler suits worn by convict Joseph Polidano was so little that it was most probably the residue left by the bullet that hit him when he touched his injury. 

Mr Polidano had been injured in an exchange of fire with the police, who foiled the robbery. He was later arrested and jailed for 10 years.

He also said that the boiler suit worn by Carmelo Spiteri, who was jailed 10 years for his involvement, also had traces of gunshot residue because even he had been hit by a bullet. 

The robbery had been foiled by the police.

Dr Abela Medici explained that if someone was up to one metre from where a gun was fired, there would be gunshot residue on the person firing the weapon.

However, if a person fired a shot into the air from a car, no gunshot residue would be found on the shooter’s clothes or balaclava. 

The police started investigating Mr Xuereb after his fingerprint matched those found on a plastic bag found in the van.

The trial continues tomorrow morning when Mr Spiteri is expected to testify.

Lawyers Kevin Valletta and Lara Lanfranco appeared for the office of the Attorney General. Lawyer Raphael Fenech Adami appeared for Mr Xuereb.