A 54-year-old Sicilian was this morning granted bail against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000 after pleading not guilty to being in possession of fake cash.

Enzo Micci, 54, of Catania was also told he cannot leave Malta and has to reside at the Sea Breeze Hotel in Birzebbuga.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla and defence lawyer Jose Herrera told the magistrate that Mr Micci had been renting an apartment from a Maltese man but he was not living in it because he had gone to Italy to seek medical help.

The owner of the apartment, who had not been paid rent, broke into his own property and found €7,000 cash, which he decided to keep as payment.

Shortly afterwards he went to purchase a car with the money when he realised that the money was fake.

The case continues.