A man has been charged with stealing €30,000 worth of copper from the yard belonging to the former Malta Shipyards in Marsa.

Johann Joseph Spiteri, 33, pleaded not guilty to stealing the copper on Monday afternoon, causing damage at the yard and breaching the conditions of a previous release.

His lawyer, Andy Ellul, argued that it was impossible for his client to have stolen such a large amount of copper.

He told the court that Mr Spiteri’s left arm was all bruised and weak from injecting drugs and he could not have carried €30,000 worth of copper. He could barely lift a plastic bag, Dr Ellul said.

He said he suspected that the shipyard was inflating the price of the copper and the amount allegedly stolen could not have been worth so much.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli turned down Mr Spiteri’s request for bail after the prosecution argued he was not trustworthy and had been charged over a similar case recently.

Police inspectors Tony Cachia and Spiridione Zammit prosecuted.