A 43-year-old man was on Sunday afternoon denied bail after he pleaded not guilty to stealing from a supermarket last week.

Ludwig Bugeja, an unemployed man from Paola, was charged with thefts on two occasions from Carters Supermarket. Mr Bugeja pleaded not guilty.

According to Inspector Sarah Zerafa, the supermarket reported two thefts last week. The man was arrested some days later after he was spotted at one of the supermarket chain's outlets, after he was recognised from CCTV footage.

Inspector Zerafa said that the man was held at the supermarket until the police showed up to arrest him.

Once at his home, the police confirmed he was the man on the CCTV footage from the clothes found at the house, the inspector said, adding that the police, however, did not find any of the items that were reported stolen.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras turned down a request for bail by legal aid lawyer Josette Sultana.

Arguing against the request for bail, Inspector Zerafa said that not only did he accused have no possessions, but during investigations it emerged that while drug paraphernalia was found inside his home, no food or any other such good were found, which suggested that he was likely spending all his money on drugs. The man was also not willing to collaborate with the police.