Two Valletta brothers today denied seriously injuring a man with a glass during an argument outside the Three Monkeys Bar in Hamrun on October 12.

Dion and Ramsey Farrugia, aged 26 and 22, a cook and a factory worker, pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Christopher Cardona who suffered serious head injuries after being hit with a glass. Mr Cardona was first given a lift to the Floriana health centre by an unknown person and then rushed to Mater Dei Hospital where he spent some time in critical condition.

They were charged with seriously injuring Mr Cardona, assaulting him, hitting him with a glass, threatening him and breaching the peace. The younger brother alone was further charged with relapsing.

Defence counsel Arthur Azzopardi requested bail, telling Magistrate Audrey Demicoli that the incident happened 10 days ago, during which his clients were granted police bail until investigations continued. He said that Mr Cardona was also investigated by the police in connection with the incident.

The magistrate granted the brothers bail against a €500 deposit and a €3,000 personal guarantee. She also ordered them to sign the bail book twice a week and to refrain for speaking to any of the prosecution's witnesses.

Police Inspector Spiridione Zammit prosecuted.