A Libyan and a Tunisian were yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to trying to steal items from a language school in St Julian’s on Saturday evening.

The accused are Libyan national Salem Ali Elaidy, 23, from Birżebbuġa, who is unemployed and Abderraouf Barchech, 32, a Tunisian living in Birkirkara, who works as a plumber and electrician.

They denied attempting to steal television sets, computers and other items from EF School of English in Paceville.

Mr Barchech was also charged with resisting arrest and slightly injuring a police officer at the Floriana health centre early on Sunday morning and damaging the cell where he was being kept under arrest at the police headquarters.

The prosecution is alleging that the police saw Mr Barchech driving away in his hired Peugeot car soon after the alleged robbery attempt. He was accused of driving recklessly. Mr Elaidy was accused of relapsing.

Magistrate Francesco De-pasquale denied a request for bail and remanded the two in custody.

Police Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Carol Fabri prosecuted.

Lawyers Jason Grima and Noel Bianco appeared for the accused.

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