A man was handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a shooting last Tuesday evening in Qormi which left another man with gunshot wounds in the leg.

Michael Mifsud, a 52-year old from Żebbuġ, was on Thursday morning arraigned under arrest charged with having caused slight injuries to the victim.

The shooting took place in St Francis Square last Tuesday at around 8pm and police were alerted to the incident by doctors after the victim sought treatment.

Officers at the scene came across two spent cartridges, the court was told. The firearm was not recovered, but a knuckle duster found in Mr Mifsud's possession was confiscated by the police.

Although the suspected culprit had initially denied any wrongdoing when approached by the police, he registered a guilty plea during his arraignment.

The court, presided over by magistrate Audrey Demicoli, handed down an 18-month jail term suspended for three years, together with a fine of €800. A two-year protection order was also issued in favour of the victim.

Lawyer Joe Giglio was defence counsel.