A man has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to committing a hold-up on a nail technician in the street last week.

Amadeo Grima, 32, of Kalkara, denied committing the hold-up in Birkirkara on May 30, in which the victim was robbed of €900. He also denied relapsing and breaching bail conditions.

Police Inspector Tony Cachia objected to the man’s request for bail, saying he was not trustworthy.

He said the man, along with an accomplice, waited for the victim, Ritienne Briguglio, to close her shop, followed her and then struck in Mannarino Road at 8.30 p.m.

Defence counsel Franco Debono argued that the arraignment procedure was flawed because the prosecution should have brought the alleged victim to testify, rather than object to the granting of bail because the victim still had to give evidence.

Magistrate Edwina Grima said the court was not convinced ofthe man’s trustworthiness and remanded him in custody.

Lawyer Mario Camilleri also appeared for the man.