Joseph Cini, known as il-Pele, was this evening remanded in custody after he was charged following his escape was receiving treatment at Mater Dei yesterday.

Mr Cini, 47, pleaded not guilty to charges of escaping custody and being a relapser.

He was caught in Sta Venera this morning.

He was found at a relative's residence during an operation conducted between the police and the prison's Special Response Team.

The Mobile squad received a confidential tip-off that Mr Cini was in a St Venera flat, and a team was dispatched outside the flat.

After calling for backup, two members of the Mobile Squad and three members of the SRT went up to the flat where Mr Cini was.

He attempted another escape and fled to the roof, after which a rooftop chase ensued, where Mr Cini was finally arrested.

The team included prison warder Tony Tonna, who yesterday chased the prisoner to San Gwann before he lost him.

Mr Tonna had been reporting for duty as Mr Cini was escaping and he chased after him in the direction of San Ġwann industrial estate. He then lost sight of him.

Mr Cini escaped while being attended to as a patient at Mater Dei Hospital. He was allowed to go to the bathroom unescorted.

Mr Cini was in custody for breaching bail conditions. The bail had been granted after he was charged with seriously injuring police officers and escaping from police custody.

He had been charged several times in court with a number of thefts and in 2008 had a four-year jail term reduced to three on appeal for selling stolen antiques.

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