A 19-year-old plasterer was detained by the police over suspicions of trafficking ecstacy just 10 days after he was given a suspended sentence over a separate case, a court heard today.

Gordon Micallef, who is from Victoria but lives in Birkirkara, was granted bail after pleading not guilty to ecstasy trafficking and cocaine possession on Christmas Eve.

The court heard how on December 15, the teenager had been given a suspended jail term by another court this time over a theft.

Mr Micallef today was back in court accused of trafficking drugs, being in possession of cocaine and committing the crime in the vicinity of  school or a place frequented by youths.

The prosecution, however, did not object to his request for bail, saying that he had fully collaborated while he was under police bail.  On his part, the teenager, complicated matters saying he could not remember his Birkirkara address. He also said he did not have a passport and had lost his ID Card.

The court was, however, able to trace his Birkirkara address from the charge sheet. When presiding Magistrate Francesco Depasquale read it out, the accused nodded in approval.

“You seem to have suddenly refreshed your memory,” the magistrate remarked.

The teenager was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. He was also ordered to report daily at the Birkirkara police station and not to be outdoors between 10pm and 8am.

Police inspector Nikolai Sant prosecuted while lawyer Robert Galea appeared for the accused.