A Libyan man who was sipping people's drinks at several bars in Paceville was today charged with stealing a jacket from a Paceville night club and to being in possession of a knife.

Police inspector Trevor Micallef told Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras how Mohammed Mahdi, 33, who has no fixed address, spent an evening touring bars and sipping other patrons' drinks. When he had consumed too much alcohol, he went to a Paceville shop and allegedly stole a jacket and a T-shirt early on Sunday morning. He also stole a mobile phone the previous evening.

Mr Mahdi was charged with the thefts as well as to breaching the St Julian's by-law that prohibits the consumption of alcohol in glass recipients, being too drunk to be able to take care of himself and breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence imposed in February this year. He also denied being in possession of a sharp and pointed instrument.

No request for bail was made and he was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Abigail Bugeja appeared for the accused.