A tell-tale trace of blood led to the arraignment of two men over a violent robbery at an Armier boathouse last year, shortly before the murder of Eleanor Mangion Walker, another episode allegedly linking the two men.

Read: Andrew Mangion charged with murder of wife Eleanor Mangion Walker

Andrew Mangion, 41, from Swieqi and Adhamjon Niyasov, also known as Kristjan Zekic, 34, from Mosta were arraigned before duty magistrate Charmaine Galea this afternoon, charged with the aggravated theft, as well as with holding the two occupants of the boathouse against their will.

The prosecution further charged the pair with grievously injuring one of the victims and slightly injuring the second one. Other charges related to possessing a stolen air pistol, carrying a weapon in public without a licence, voluntary damaging property and stealing a car belonging to the victims.

The two had allegedly broken into a residence in Swieqi in March 2016, making off with several items including the Weirauch air pistol, reportedly the same one that was later used in the boathouse robbery.

The court was told that charges were issued after traces of blood on a shopping bag, recovered from the back of a vehicle used by Mr Mangion, were found to match that of one of the victims in the boathouse robbery.

The two men pleaded not guilty to the charges but no request for bail was made. Mr Mangion has been under preventive custody since his arraignment over the alleged murder of his estranged wife last July. Mr Zekic is facing separate proceedings over his alleged involvement in helping Mr Mangion hide the woman's body which was ultimately discovered inside a disused Qormi warehouse.

Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted. Lawyer Joseph Giglio was counsel to Mr Mangion. Lawyer Giannella DeMarco was counsel to Mr Zekic.