Maximilian Ciantar, notorious for his long list of traffic violations, was back in court this afternoon in connection with a break-in at a Dingli farmhouse on Easter Sunday.

The 26-year-old, who was remanded in custody, pleaded not guilty to attempted aggravated theft in a residence in Triq ir-Rabat at 4.15am. He was also accused of relapsing.

A second man,  Darryl Anthony Anderson, 19, from Qormi, who allegedly accompanied Mr Ciantar, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail against a personal deposit of €300 and a guarantee of €1,000.

Who are you trying to impress? You should be ashamed of yourself

The two men allegedly entered into the farmhouse wearing a balaclava in the early hours and demanded money from the owners who insisted they had no cash. The thieves, one of whom was carrying a knife, gave up after some time, and absconded.

On his part, Mr Anderson, who works as a chef with a catering company, was accused of attempted aggravated theft, misleading the police, causing slight injuries to one of the farmhouse owners, trafficking ecstasy and being in possession of cocaine.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech presided the two arraignments, which were made separately.

Although she granted Mr Anderson, who had a clean criminal record, bail, she gave him a stern warning.

“Who are you trying to impress? You should be ashamed of yourself. 

“Breaching bail conditions will mean you will go immediately to jail,” she warned him.

The prosecution did not object to bail.

Lawyer Noel Cutajar was legal aid to the Mr Ciantar while Lucio Sciriha represented Mr Anderson, whereas police Inspector Neville Mercieca prosecuted.