A teenager with anger management problems was remanded in custody yesterday after pleading not guilty to assaulting and threatening his mother and siblings.

The youth, who turned 18 last month, denied insulting, threatening and assaulting his family members, harassing them and causing them to fear violence.

Names are not being published in the case to protect the identity of the alleged victims. Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard the teenager had a medical condition for which he was refusing to take medication.

“While he is too young to be in court, he has appeared here several times. There are already three probation orders, so he’s been given chances. There must be social problems if someone loses it with his own mother,” the magistrate commented.

She turned down his request for bail after his friend, who offered to let him live with him until the case is decided, appeared in court only to tell the magistrate he did not know his own address.

The magistrate appointed a psychiatrist to assess the teenager and issued a treatment order for his medical condition.

The court also issued a protection order for the mother and her young children.

Police Inspector Edel Mary Camilleri prosecuted, while lawyer Abigail Bugeja appeared for the accused.