Two Somalis allegedly caught trying to rape a 17-year-old girl on the Birzebbuga promenade on Christmas day were so drunk they did not know what happened.

Mohamed Muse Ali and Mohamed Hasan Ibrahim, both 21, escaped from the Ħal-Far detention centre and went to the string of bars along the seafront to have a drink.

After a call was received alerting the police to a fight on the promenade the police allegedly found one of them on the girl and the other next to her.

Both men, had injuries to their faces and eyes.

In asking for bail, defence lawyer Mark Busutill said his clients did not know what had happened. All they could recall was speaking to a mature woman.

The men, he said, were very drunk especially since they did not usually touch alcohol so they could not handle it.

The men were remanded the men in custody.