Singer Emanuel Balzan, better known as Tristan B, was yesterday remanded in custody, again, after allegedly defrauding a man of €9,000, making this his fourth court appearance on similar charges in two years.

He pleaded not guilty to fraud before informing the court, through his lawyer, Veronique Dalli, he had already paid the victim €2,000 of the money taken.

The artiste, who managed a few gigs in his short-lived career as a singer, was known to live a lavish life, sometimes seen escorted by bodyguards and driven around in a limousine.

In pleas on bail, Police Inspector Ivan Cilia said every time the accused was granted bail, he committed another crime, noting this was his fourth appearance in court for similar charges in which he allegedly defrauded several people of some €80,000. In fact, he had another case but the court had ordered a ban on the publication of his name.

Dr Dalli rebutted the argument, insisting her client had not been charged with breaching bail conditions.

Acknowledging the point, the officer said he had to underscore the fact that Mr Balzan had failed to sign the bail book at his local police station for the past two months.

After taking into consideration the circumstances of the case and that Mr Balzan was not trustworthy, Magistrate Doreen Clarke remanded him in custody.