Brothers accused of assaulting and seriously injuring man in argument

Two men remanded in custody after being charged with unlawfully apprehending man before beating him up, bundling him into their car, and then throwing him out

Two brothers were today remanded in custody after being charged with seriously injuring another man during an argument over money.

Clayton Azzopardi, 27, of St Paul’s Bay, and his brother, Dylan Azzopardi, 22, of Marsaskala, stood charged with unlawfully apprehending Luke Vella against his will, assaulting him, and seriously injuring him.

Clayton Azzopardi was also charged with relapsing.

The argument is said to have started over a sum of money owed to the Azzopardi brothers by a member of Vella’s family. The men are alleged to have pulled Vella out of his car before beating him up, bundling him into their car, and then throwing him out.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and held that it was Vella who started the argument.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli turned down a request for bail, and the men were remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Robert Said Sarreo and Paula Ciantar prosecuted.