Two men who pleaded not guilty to attempting to rob a house in St Christopher Street in Valletta were yesterday remanded in custody after their defence lawyers informed the court that the accused – and their families – had decided not to request bail.

Massimo Caruana, 25, and Christopher Micallef, 23, both from Valletta, pleaded not guilty to trying to commit a robbery on Monday evening and to damaging the front door of the mentioned property, to the detriment of Richard Matrenza. They also pleaded not guilty to relapsing while Mr Micallef alone was further accused of breaching the conditions of a previous court judgement.

Defence lawyer Joseph Giglio informed Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani that his clients, after consulting their relatives, decided not to request to be granted bail. However, they requested the court to inform the prison authorities about their drug addiction problem so they could seek help to kick the habit while they are in prison.

Magistrate Padovani acceded to this request and ordered that they receive the treatment for drug addiction while they are in jail.

Police Inspectors Anthony Portelli and Pierre Micallef Grimaud prosecuted while Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for the accused.