Two warring neighbours, whose differences erupted into a full blown argument on Sunday following the untimely sounding of an air horn were let out on bail after claiming to have forgiven each other in open court.

Antoine Galea, 23, and Edward Buhagiar, 37, both residing at the same Żabbar street, sat at the far ends of the bench throughout their arraignment on Tuesday afternoon while the prosecution shed light upon the circumstances which led to Sunday’s events.

It all began when Mr Buhagiar was apparently rudely woken up by the unwelcome sound of an air horn emanating from his neighbour’s direction, soon prompting a verbal slinging match between the two men.

Matters escalated when, some time later, the two met on the street. Mr Buhagiar drove his BMW at his neighbour, who was riding his motorbike at the time.

The court heard how Mr Buhagiar ended up slightly injured while his son suffered a grievous injury after being punched on the nose by Mr Galea.

The families appear to have long been at loggerheads, prosecuting Inspector Eman Hayman explained, referring to a court order imposed upon Mr Buhagiar 10 years ago, barring him from approaching Mr Galea’s father.

Mr Galea was charged with grievously injuring Mr Buhagiar’s son, slighly injuring Mr Buhagiar.

His neighbour was charged with attempting to grievously injur Mr Galea, driving recklessly and dangerously, slightly injuring Mr Galea.

Both men were charged with breaching the peace and swearing in public.

However, when the two neighbours were taken to court on Tuesday after having spent two days under preventive arrest, the court, presided over by magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, was informed by defence lawyers Jason Grima and Graziella Attard that their clients had forgiven each other and were openly agreeing not to testify against each other.

Nonetheless, in view of certain charges being prosecutable ex officio by the police, irrespective of the forgiveness by the injured party, a request for bail was made, defence lawyers pointing out that they had sought to calm matters in an attempt to restore neighbourly relations.

In view of the circumstances of the case, the court upheld the request, granting bail against a deposit of €300, a personal guarantee of €5,000 and a duty to sign the bail book twice a week, though on different dates, while also abiding by a curfew.