A man accused of theft from two Birkirkara shops last month has had his bail revoked after the court heard he breached a 10pm curfew.

Annise Bejaoui, 26, was not at home on Sunday night when police checked on him at his Rabat apartment.

He pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was sleeping upstairs and did not hear the police inspector call his name. But Magistrate Charmaine Galea did not believe his version and revoked bail. He was remanded in custody and sent to the forensic unit at Mount Carmel Hospital.

During the proceedings Mr Bejaoui accused police inspector Edel Mary Camilleri of lying as she walked out of the courtroom after testifying. The magistrate warned him she would send him down to the lock-up immediately if spoke to the inspector like that again.

Inspector Camilleri testified that she had checked on Mr Bejaoui during a police patrol in Dingli and Rabat.

She said the door to Mr Bejaoui’s residence, a flat with no electricity and water within a slum dwelling, was open. The police officer said she repeatedly called out his name but no one answered except for an elderly couple who were neighbours. Ms Camilleri said the police did not enter the apartment.

He claimed he was asleep and did not hear her call

Inspector Camilleri said she then went to Dingli, where Mr Bejaoui’s mother lived and where his official residence according to the bail conditions is listed. The police searched Ms Bejaoui’s house with her permission but did not find the accused.

Mr Bejaoui’s defence lawyer argued that the police had not proven their case beyond reasonable doubt because his client could have been sleeping at his home.

However, prosecuting officer Inspector John Spiteri insisted Mr Bejaoui had not informed him or the police station of a change of residence prior to Sunday’s incident as had been the case on other occasions. Taking the witness stand, Mr Bejaoui said the inspector had his mobile phone number and she could have phoned him to ascertain his whereabouts.

Inspectors John Spiteri and Luke Bonello prosecuted while legal aid lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace appeared for Mr Bejaoui.