A 63-year-old retired man was remanded in custody on charges of complicity in after a court heard the prosecution's fears that he was associating himself with drug users.

Anthony Balzan, 63, denied charges of having provided tools to be used in a burglary during the court sitting on Thursday.

In arguing against granting Mr Balzan bail, Inspector Roderick Agius said the accused would probably land himself in more trouble given the dubious characters he associated himself with.

Inspector Agius said the accused was known to be living in a Qormi garage frequented by drug users.

The prosecution said the owner of the garage had been arrested on Wednesday, and the owner's mother had sealed it off.

Inspector Agius said he therefore had doubts about where Mr Balzan would live if granted bail, given that he said in a statement to police that his house had burnt down.

The accused, who denied having a drug addiction, was remanded in custody and placed under a supervision order.

Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia presided.

Lawyers Lennox Vella and Marisa Mifsud appeared for the accused.