An unemployed chef has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to holding up a woman at knifepoint and stealing an unspecified amount of cash from a residence.

Maltese-born Christopher El Shoushani, 43, residing at Ta’ Xbiex, denied the charges of theft, having held the victim against her will, having been in possession of a knife without a police licence and relapsing.

The alleged incident took place on September 16 at around 2.30pm in Testaferrata Street, Ta’ Xbiex.

Defence counsel Shazoo Ghaznavi requested bail and pointed out that his client had been granted police bail twice and had never approached the prosecution witnesses.

Moreover, the lawyer explained that the man had been out of a job for the past three weeks and was expecting to take up a new job on Friday.

Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo upheld the request, strictly warning the man not to approach the victim and another prosecution witness.

Bail was granted against a personal guarantee of €10,000.

The court finally issued a protection order in respect of the alleged victim and another woman to be summoned as a witness.

Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Colin Sheldon prosecuted.