Adds arraignment

Two men were arrested shortly after breaking into a house this morning in Triq il-Mitħna, Żebbuġ. They were taken to court this afternoon and a police inspector said one of them had a 'questionable' medical certificate saying he was unfit to sign the bail book for a previous case.

The men were caught red-handed by the Qormi District Police minutes after they were informed that two persons were breaking into a house at about 7.15 a.m.

The police said a sergeant and constable rushed to the scene and initially did not find anything suspicious. However, close examination of a door revealed suspicious tool marks next to its lock.

Although the sergeant did not see anyone inside when he looked through the residence's letter box, he forced the door open.

Upon entering, the police officers came face-to-face with the men, one of whom was carrying a long screw driver in his pocket.

A bedroom was ransacked but nothing appeared to have been stolen.

A 76-year-old woman who lives there was hearing Mass at the time.

MEN ARRAIGNED, PLEAD NOT GUILTY

The men, Christopher Scerri, 34 of Pieta and Mario Camilleri, 44 of Zebbug, were arraigned in court later in the morning.

They pleaded not guilty to attempted theft, causing damage and relapsing.

Mr Scerri was also accused of breaching bail conditions in three separate cases on similar charges. Mr Camilleri was accused of breaching the conditions of a previous release.

Police Inspector Fabian Fleri said that Mr Scerri had not signed his bail book for a number of weeks. He was in possession of a 'questionable' medical certificate stating that he was not well enough to sign the bail book, yet he was well enough to attempt this burglary.

The victim, he said, was not randomly targeted.

The two were denied bail.

Franco Debono appeared for Mr Scerri, John Mizzi for Mr Camilleri.