Alfred Bugeja, also known il-Porporina, and Clive Agius yesterday appeared in court denying the charges of theft from a van and a store.

Bugeja, 50, from Valletta and Aguis, 23, from Floriana, pleaded not guilty to stealing up to e2,329 worth of items from a van in St Venera on Wednesday.

They also denied stealing cash from a store in St Venera.

Before magistrate Audrey Grima, the men also pleaded not guilty to committing a crime within the operative term of a suspended sentence.

The court refused to grant the men bail but accepted the request put forward by Bugeja’s defence counsel for his client to be remanded at Mount Carmel Hospital especially since his client has been under psychiatric care for a number of years.

Police Inspectors Anthony Portelli and Robert Vella prosecuted. Dr Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Mr Bugeja while Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Agius.