A 35-year-old man from Qrendi was this afternoon was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000 and a deposit of €500 after he pleaded not guilty to charges of smuggling 645 protected songbirds from Sicily.

The case dates back to Friday when Aaron Micallef was found in possession of the birds on his arrival from Sicily aboard the catamaran, following a search by custom officials and the police.

The birds - 326 hawfinches, 164 linnets, 108 serins, 46 goldfinches and one greenfinch - some of which were alive, where found in his car which was also confiscated.

Inspector Jurgen Vella told the court this afternoon that these birds were valued at €31,862.

The accused was also charged of evading €5,735 in value added tax.

In a separate case Peter Paul Grech, 68, from Nadur was fined €3,460 and had his car confiscated after he admitted to importing 50 protected birds from Sicily.

The case also occurred on Friday when the man was found in possession of hawfinches.

Franco Debono appeared for Mr Micallef while Simon Micallef Stafrace appeared for Mr Grech.