A man was remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty yesterday to stealing a police squad car earlier this month.

Amadeo Grima, 25, of Kalkara, was accused of stealing a Ford Sierra belonging to the police force from Hamrun at around 11.30pm on 6 February. He is charged with driving the car without a licence, of handling stolen goods, of relapsing in view of previous convictions, of breaching the terms of a conditional discharge and of committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended sentence.

Presiding magistrate Lawrence Quintano denied the accused bail and ordered him to be remanded in custody.

Inspectors Stephen Mallia and Anthony Agius prosecuted.

Dr Tonio Azzopardi appeared for the accused.