A man targeted in a bomb attack on an Armier boathouse two years ago was allegedly caught last Wednesday with half a kilogramme of cannabis in a bag in his car.

Pierre Cremona, 42, from Qormi, who is facing criminal proceedings on other drug-related charges, was back in court yesterday over the latest find.

He was also charged with dangerous driving and damaging an unmarked police car when he allegedly tried to escape arrest.

The incident occurred in Għargħur when the police surrounded Mr Cremona following days of surveillance. Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit heard how Mr Cremona tried to flee when he saw his path had been blocked and rammed an unmarked police car.

When he was eventually apprehended, the Drug Squad police found a package allegedly containing more than 500 grams of cannabis in a bag on the seat of his car. He pleaded not guilty to possession of cannabis found in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use, committing the crime within 100 metres from a venue frequented by youngsters, damaging the police car and driving his Mitsubishi negligently, dangerously and at excessive speed.

He was also charged with driving the car that was neither licensed nor covered by an insurance policy, as well as with breaching his bail conditions over a separate case and relapsing.

Magistrate Stafrace Zammit turned down his request for bail, deeming him untrustworthy.

Police Inspector Gabriel Micallef prosecuted, while lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for the man.

In September 2013, Mr Cremona was lucky to escape injury when a bomb went off outside a boathouse. The device had been attached to a mobile phone. Mr Cremona and another man, William Farrugia, 31, from Qormi, escaped unhurt.