Two men were this afternoon remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to the theft of some €800 worth of copper and diesel from a plant in Birzebbuga.

Keith-Joseph Mallia, 44, from Għaxaq, and Vincent Sammut, 42, from Tarxien, were charged with stealing the items early on Wednesday.

Mr Mallia alone was further charged with committing the crime while on bail over a similar theft case. He is unemployed while Mr Sammut works in maintenance.

Their request for bail was turned down by Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, mainly due to the nature of the charges and due to the fact that the men did not offer guarantees that they would face justice. They were remanded in custody.

Police Inspectors Johann Fenech and Melvyn Camilleri prosecuted. Lawyers Veronique Dalli, Dean Hili and Giannella de Marco appeared for the men.

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