A 27-year-old’s hunt for his “missing” girlfriend landed him in court on Sunday for grievously injuring another man with a sandal.

Police inspector Kylie Borg told the court the story started when Qormi resident Ryan Debattista reported his girlfriend as missing on Saturday.

After filing a police report, the intrepid lover managed to track down his girlfriend to a Qormi garage.

Mr Debattista ushered his girlfriend out of the garage and into a car belonging to her mother.

The court heard how Mr Debattista then returned to the garage to pick up some of his girlfriend’s belongings.

Upon entering the garage, Mr Debattista said he was chased out by a number of men brandishing metal objects.

In an effort to shake off his pursuers, Mr Debattista launched a well-placed missile in the form of what is believed to be one of his girlfriend’s sandals at the head of one of his pursuers.

The court heard how the sandal hit its target head-on, causing what inspector Borg described as grievous injuries.

During the pursuit, Mr Debattista also caused damage to his girlfriend’s mother’s car.

Mr Debattista, who denies the charges, was granted bail against a number of conditions.

Magistrate Chairmaine Galea presided.