A Nigerian who lives in Mosta was this morning remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to stealing less than €200 from Golden Harvest in Gzira last Tuesday.
Michael Oluwafemi Tewogbola, 33, also pleaded not guilty to slightly injuring show owner Adam Cuschieri and to relapsing.
When the accused was asked in court whether he had a job he said he worked on and off.
Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo immediately pointed out that he could not represent the accused further because this was an abuse of the legal aid system.
He asked the court to carry out the necessary verifications to confirm that the accused could not afford to pay for his own lawyer. The request was upheld.
Magistrate Audrey Demicoli remanded the accused in custody because he personally knew the victim and had his mobile number.
Mr Cuschieri had also been receiving threats.