A man was accused yesterday of setting fire to his cell at Sliema police station on 27 November.

Anthony Alexander Mallia, 34, from Valletta, was charged with damaging property belonging to the government and slightly injuring Sergeant Major Raymond Zammit, police Sergeant Wilfred Imbroll, and constables Melchior Micallef and Josef Camilleri at 3pm at the police station.

Mr Mallia was further charged with threatening two police sergeants and a police constable in Rue D’Argens earlier that day. He was also charged with relapsing.

Before magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, Mr Mallia pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. He was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm2,000.

Police Inspector Malcolm Spiteri prosecuted and Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Roberto Montalto appeared for the accused.