Murder suspect denies breaching bail conditions

A man due to be tried for murder next month was yesterday remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to breaching his bail conditions and threatening to kill his wife.

Richard Grech, 44, also known as Iz-Zinanna, was allegedly caught in Birkirkara at 6.30 a.m. yesterday, when his bail conditions stated that he should not leave his house before 7 a.m.

During the arraignment, Mr Grech denied breaching bail conditions, threatening to kill his wife Josianne, illegally carrying a firearm and threatening to use violence against her.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia remanded him in custody.

Mr Grech is to stand trial for the murder of 42-year-old bank messenger Alphonse Ferriggi in 2000. He will be the second person to do so after Joseph Zammit, 52, was found guilty of the murder and jailed for 31 years last year.