The man who was accused of setting several cars on fire in Birkirkara on the night between 29 and 30 December was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm5,000 yesterday.

Magistrate Anthony Vella ordered Anthony Borg, 23, from Sliema, not to leave his mother’s home in St Paul’s Bay before 8am or after 8pm.

Four people testified in the compilation of evidence against Borg; these included one of the owners of the cars set on fire, Sharon Scicluna, as well as her two daughters, Roxanne and Luana, and her partner Charles Borg.

Mr Borg said he knew the accused casually and denied they had any disagreement or common hobby.

Roxanne Scicluna repeated what she had told the police in a statement, that she had seen him in his mother’s car shortly before the car was set alight.

The girl’s mother told the court that after they called the fire brigade and the police, they noticed another car on fire; and soon after another two had been set alight.

Anthony Borg was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm5,000. Apart from having been ordered not to leave his mother’s home before or after the mentioned times, magistrate Vella also ordered him to report to the St Paul’s Bay police station between 10am and 1pm, and not to go anywhere close to Birkirkara.

Police inspector Stephen Mallia prosecuted.

Dr Franco Debono and Dr Charmaine Cherrett appeared for the accused.