A police inspector today implored a court to send a clear message that Malta was not a wild west country, after an Għaxaq man on Saturday fired a shot in the air over frustrations at construction works near his home.

Victor Psaila, who turned 42 yesterday, was charged with threatening his neighbours and breaching the peace after growing “frustrated” with the ongoing works.

A court heard how he grew increasingly angered at the “messy” works on a wall in a narrow Għaxaq alley.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech said his client's pleas with his neigbhours to halt the works, as well as calls to the OHSA and PA, fell on deaf ears.

Dr Fenech said his client had no intention of hurting anyone when he fired off a shotgun in the air from his roof.

His client had a license for the weapon, Dr Fenech said.

Prosecuting officer Johann Fenech said the man could have easily called the police to handle the matter.

The shotgun pellets could have injured people, the officer pointed out.

In opposing bail, the prosecutor urged the court to send a message that Malta was not a wild west country which tolerated such incidents.

Magistrate Marse-Anne Farrugia said the incident was a serious one, which could have had worse repercussions.

Bail was denied.