The police intercepted a man who was allegedly about to break into the official residence of the Paola parish priest on Thursday morning.

Tarxien-resident Christopher Briffa, 26, was today arraigned and charged with having attempted to break into the private residence with the intent to steal, with having caused damage to third party property and with having been found in possession of tools normally related to break ins.

The man was further charged with having breached the conditions of an earlier conditional discharge and also with being a relapser.

After hearing the arrested man plead not guilty to the charges, the court, presided over by Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, heard submissions on bail by defence lawyer Josette Sultana, who pointed out that the young man had a family who cared for him and a place to call home. Moreover, the risk of tampering with evidence was minimal, the lawyer argued.

However, inspector Hubert Cini promptly remarked that, although it was true that the young man had supportive relatives who showed concern, the man had a habit of not turning up at his family home for days on end.

In fact, his mother and sister had considered filing a missing person’s report and had expressed relief when told that their family member was in police custody, the inspector explained.

“Perhaps he might take this as an opportunity to address any issues he has with his family,” the prosecutor remarked, adding that he would not object to bail so long as stringent conditions were imposed.

The court, presided over by magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, accordingly granted bail under condition of a curfew between 8pm and 7.45am, signing the bail book on a daily basis and against a personal guarantee of €3000.

A Protection Order was also issued in favour of the parish priest.

Lawyer Josette Sultana was legal aid counsel.