A 72-year-old man from Għarb, Gozo was held under house arrest after pleading not guilty to importing illegal explosives.

He was charged with having imported, transported and stored gunpowder or other explosives at a fireworks factory without permission from the Commissioner of Police. He was also charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The court also ordered the man to pay a deposit of €1,500 and a personal guarantee of €10,000.

Inspector Bernard Charles Spiteri prosecuted.