A father and son who were charged with the attempted theft from a Marsa factory were denied bail.

46-year-old Keith Joseph Mallia and his 19-year-old son Mario appeared in court and both pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The two, a transporter and a salesman, were caught red-handed when the police received an anonymous tip. The court heard how the person who called the police said they heard heavy machinery being moved around. Police officers who went on site found the two men and signs that machines were moved around.

The son and his father were taken to court charged with attempted theft, having broken into factory premises and causing damage to third party property. The father was also charged with driving a vehicle with an expired licence and for breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence handed in a previous court. His son was also accused with relapsing.

Keith and Mario Mallia both pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace denied the request for bail on the basis of lack of trustworthiness. Inspector Hubert Cini led the prosecution while lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia appeared for the accused.