A 78-year-old restaurateur, Joseph Grixti, explained in court this afternoon how in 2004 in wrestled with an armed robber who opened his car door and made a grab for a pouch containing cash.

Joseph Grixti was giving evidence in the trial of Aaron Cassar, 32, of Kirkop, and Noel Frendo, 36, of Qawra, who stand charged with stealing some €7,000 during the hold-up in July 2004.

Mr Grixti said this was the second time he was robbed, having suffered the loss of Lm28,000 in the first case.

In the current case, he said he had been to HSBC in Bugibba where he withdrew (Lm)3,000 in cash. He put the banknotes in a small black pouch.

He then started driving back to his restaurant.

Mr Grixti said he had never put the pouch next to him on the passenger seat but for some reason he did on that day. All of a sudden a car drove out in front of him and he almost swore at the driver as he blocked his way and forced him to stop.

A man came out of the car and another stayed in the driving seat.

Mr Grixti said the man, who was hooded, opened the door of his car and tried to grab the pouch.

"I shouted 'help help', he put a pistol to my head and I grabbed hold of the pouch and wrestled with him. He then hit me on my hand, grabbed the bag and took off."

Mr Grixti said a policeman then came up to him and said the alarm had already been raised.

By the time he went to the police station, he was told that the men had been caught. When he got the money back there was Lm200 missing.

Earlier today the court was told how the two men were arrested after an alert police patrol found weapons under the seat of a car which was stopped shortly after the hold-up.

Prosecutor Lara Lanfranco said policemen on patrol spotted a white Ford Escort and noticed suspicious behaviour. They stopped it and and under one of the seats found firearms and gloves. On the back seat they found drugs, a balaclava and a pouch with money. One of the guns had been reported stolen from an arms collector.

The case continues.