Defence submissions in arson case

The trial of a Zejtun man charged with setting fire to the main door of his superior's house four years ago yesterday entered the stage in which the defence presented its case to the judge.

Saviour Bugeja, 47, of Zejtun is standing trial for arson, when he set fire to the main door belonging to Joseph Gafà, who was his superior at the Drydocks, on March 28, 2000.

He is also charged with endangering neighbouring buildings in which there were people and damaging Gafá's property.

Bugeja chose to be tried by a judge as opposed to a panel of jurors.

Yesterday his defence counsel, Dr Giannella Caruana and Dr Emanuel Mallia, presented their case to Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono after Senior Counsel to the Republic Dr Stephen Tonna Lowell, prosecuting, declared he had no more evidence.