Two men, a Libyan and a Tunisian, were today remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to attempting to steal several items from a language school in St Julian's on Saturday evening.

Unemployed Libyan Salem Ali Elaidy, 23, from Birzebbuga and Abderraouf Barchech, 32, from Birkirkara, who works as a plumber and electrician, denied attempting to steal televisions, computers and other items from EF School of English.

The robbery was foiled and the police found a television set on the pavement.

Mr Barchech alone was also charged with resisting his arrest and slightly injuring a police officer at the Floriana Health Centre early on Saturday morning and with damaging the cell where he was being kept under arrest at the police headquarters an hour later.

The prosecution is alleging that Mr Barchech drove off with his hired Peugeot soon after the alleged robbery. He was accused of driving recklessly.

Mr Elaidy alone was also accused of relapsing.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale denied their request for bail and they were remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Carol Fabri prosecuted while lawyers Jason Grima and Noel Bianco appeared for the accused.