A drug addict yesterday denied stealing antique jewellery from the Żabbar church after scaling scaffolding outside the building.

Looking gaunt, Aaron Axisa, 27, of Xgħajra, pleaded not guilty to stealing six rings, two bracelets, two necklaces and a pair of earrings, among other items, which have not yet been recovered.

The theft took place on Saturday from the statue of Our Lady of Graces at the town's parish church.

The theft had gone unnoticed until the first Sunday Mass at 6 a.m. when Fr Sebastian Caruana, the parish priest, went to open the tabernacle during Holy Communion. It was then that he realised the lock had been tampered with and he immediately called the police. Soon afterwards, Fr Caruana also found that the lock of the statue's niche had been broken and the jewellery on the Madonna was missing.

Mr Axisa also pleaded not guilty to damaging the church and committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended sentence.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit said this was a serious crime that took place in sacred place. Given Mr Axisa's criminal record, he should be remanded in custody, the prosecuting officer insisted.

Defence lawyer Charmaine Cherrett said the courts should uphold the principle of presumption of innocence. Police Inspector Fabian Fleri said there were a number of witnesses who had to testify and who knew the accused.

Dr Cherrett asked the court to take into consideration the fact that her client had already been through two residential drug rehabilitation programmes and had been seen by a number of medical professionals.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke remanded him in custody.