A man was this afternoon jailed for life after jurors found him guilty of murdering his ex-wife's partner by seven votes to two.

Martino GATT was found guilty of slightly injuring a 14-year-old girl by six votes against three and unanimously found guilty of the possession of firearm and of firing in a residential area.

His ex-wife - who was not present during the trial and who did not testify - was present for the reading out of the verdict.

After verdict was read out it was checked by all parties involved to ensure it could be registered. Even though Mr Gatt defended himself, legal aid lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace was present for this stage.

During submissions on punishment lawyer Lara Lanfranco, who represented the Attorney General's office with lawyer Nadia Camilleri, said that that after hearing the accused express the way he felt during the trial she feared society would not be safe with him around.

"It's clear that, from the way he reasons, anyone who is an obstacle to him will be in trouble and he will feel justified to assist in their suicide. I think some people's lives are at risk today because of the way he reasons...

"Louis Ellul did not do anything to the accused and he died simply because he started loving a woman," she said.

Dr Micallef Stafrace noted that one had to take into account the context - a family dispute - which meant not all society was at risk. During his testimony Mr Gatt expressed remorse and the verdict was not unanimous, the lawyer pointed out saying this ought to be reflected in the punishment.