Accused in hold-up case denied bail

Keith Camilleri, 24, of Qormi was denied bail yesterday after being charged with a hold-up of a gas delivery man on Thursday.

The man, according to the police, had been robbed of about Lm600 - the morning's takings - when he was held up in Mdina Street, Attard.

The 30-year-old deliveryman from Birzebbuga stopped at the traffic lights when two men emerged from a Renault Megane, ran over to the truck and sprayed a substance at him.

According to the police, the assailants then snatched a pouch containing the takings and escaped in the car driven by an accomplice.

Prosecuting inspector Joseph Mercieca said pepper spray had been found in the car of the accused.

The deliveryman identified the accused as one of his assailants, a claim Camilleri denied. In fact, his lawyer Franco Debono argued that the two had been at loggerheads for a long time.

He argued for his client's release on bail but the prosecution said the accused could easily come in contact with others involved in the case while investigations are still going on.

The inspector said that the man was a heavy drug user and therefore could not be trusted.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti ordered that the accused be kept in custody.