An argument between three brothers took a dangerous twist when one of them jumped onto a bulldozer and drove at another in what the police described as an attempt to seriously injure him.

Stephen Tonna, 28, of Mosta, who works with his brothers Joseph and Reno, got into an argument with them over a field on Monday at about 6.30 a.m. in Mosta.

Police Inspector Edmond Cuschieri told the court the accused drove the JCB at Joseph Tonna. He said a long-standing dispute between them had been hotting up until it reached this climax. The accused had been thrown out of the family home because of the arguments, the officer said.

In his arraignment yesterday, Mr Tonna pleaded not guilty to trying to seriously injure one of his brothers, damaging both his brothers’ cars, harassing them and driving the machine dangerously.

Defence lawyer Mark Vassallo said the merits of the case had nothing to do with the granting of bail, adding that his client never drove the bulldozer in the direction of his brother.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli granted the accused bail against a personal guarantee of €3,500 and a deposit of €1,000 after taking into consideration the fact that Mr Tonna will be living with his girlfriend.