The elderly victims of a 2012 burglary were still feeling the effects of the trauma they had suffered, a court heard.

Matthew Piscopo, a 40-year-old father of three from Floriana, was remanded in custody after being arraigned in connection with the burglary.

He was charged with having committed theft aggravated by the means, value and the persons robbed when he broke into the couple’s home in Valletta on November 18, 2012 and stole over €2,000.

Mr Piscopo was also charged with handling stolen goods and relapsing. He pleaded not guilty.

Inspector Carlos Cordina told the court that the accused had previous convictions for theft but added that he had consistently denied having any part in this burglary.

He opposed the defence’s request for bail as the victims, aged 76 and 77, were yet to testify.

But defence lawyer Jason Grima pointed out that the theft had taken place three years ago and had there been a risk of the accused approaching the victims, he would have done so by now as he had been interrogated months ago.

The accused, who was unemployed due to a medical condition, had cooperated with the police, the lawyer continued. Mr Piscopo had always kept his appointments with the police after he was granted police bail and had voluntarily given the police his fingerprints.

In view of the fact that the couple had not yet testified, the court ordered the man be remanded in custody.