A 55-year-old man from Qrendi was arraigned in court and charged with committing arson on his neighbour’s house last Tuesday.

Philip Caruana was charged by inspector Kevin Pulis and Inspector Carol Fabri that at about 5.30am he committed arson on Maria Pace’s house in Triq Bali Guarena, and with trying to steal cash and jewellery from the house, which he damaged.

Maria Pace, aged 75, was at the time at the fishmarket, buying fish to sell at Qormi.

He pleaded not guilty but was denied bail. Dr Joe Sammut asked Magistrate Anthony Vella to order a psychiatric examination of the accused, which the court acceded to.