A man who was released from prison three months ago after serving a 12-year term was this morning back in court, charged with being an accomplice in the theft of items from a beach in Bugibba.

Sandro Mifsud, 37 of St Paul's Bay, who is pleading not guilty, said he was fearful of society and suffered a drug problem. He told the court that in prison he had not found help for his drug problem. He claimed that prisoners who went to the SATU drug rehabilitation programme did not really want to be helped.

His mother, who took the witness stand but not under oath, admitted that she had recently asked her son to leave their home because he was ordering her about and was ungrateful for what she had done for him while he was in prison.She said she was prepared to accept him back in the house as long as he changed his behaviour.

Mr Mifsud immediately apologised to his mother, and she said she would accept him back in the house.

Magistrate Silvio Meli told the accused that his mother had suffered enough and he should shoulder responsibility for his actions. He then granted the accused bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000.