A homeless Malian man with mental health problems who was shot by the police as he allegedly charged at them with a knife was yesterday accused of attempted murder.

Accused had been admitted to Mount Carmel hospital several times

Souleymane Samake, 26, sat calmly in the dock as he denied trying to kill three constables and “living an idle and vagrant life” after finding refuge in a cave.

He told his interpreter he was “normal” and did not need to be examined by a psychiatrist after being told that Magistrate Marseann Farrugia had appointed one to assess his condition.

He has spent time in care at Mount Carmel Hospital following the incident on March 30.

Mr Samakewas shot after he charged at officers who discovered him living in a cave in Birżebbuġa, following reports by concerned residents.

According to the Home Affairs Ministry, he had been admitted to the psychiatric hospital several times since arriving in Malta in 2008.

Shortly after the incident, Police Commissioner John Rizzo told reporters that Mr Samake was accompanying the officers to the squad car when he began waving the knife at the policeman who was walking the closest to him.

Pepper spray had little effect and he continued charging towards them when one officer fired two warning shots. When this failed to deter him, four more shots were fired and two hit the accused in the thigh and stomach. Mr Samake was remanded in custody and the magistrate recommended sending him back to Mount Carmel.