Convicted criminal Romeo Bone, 34, of Floriana, was this morning remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty of causing Police Constable Mario Portelli to fear that violence was to be used against him.

He was also charged with relapsing.

PC Mario Portelli is the main witness in the case against former Police Inspector lawyer David Gatt, who is being charged with a series of crimes included attempted murders and hold-ups.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia said that he had confidential information that Mr Bone wanted to eliminate PC Portelli.

Mr Bone was mentioned in PC Portelli’s testimony in two very important cases of serious crimes and Mr Bone had been seen passing from in front of Mr Portelli’s house and a farmhouse used by Mr Portelli and his family.

Mr Portelli has given evidence in the cases against Dr Gatt and Fabio Psaila.

Defence lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran said her client was being charged because he had passed from a particular road.

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