A 16-year-old boy from Blata l-Bajda was yesterday remanded in custody after being charged with beating up his father and eight-year-old sister.

The teenager, whose name cannot be published by court order since he is still a minor, pleaded not guilty to beating up his father and sister over the weekend. He also pleaded not guilty to threatening a number of police officers at the Hamrun police station and defaming them.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano also heard him pleading not guilty to committing a crime during the period of a probation order. Magistrate Quintano said the court is concerned that the teenager has behavioural problems and needed psychiatric and psychological help.

He turned down a request for bail and recommended that the teenager be kept somewhere where he would be able to receive help for his problems. He also upheld a request for a probation officer to draw up a pre-sentencing inquiry report.

Police Inspector Mario Tonna prosecuted while Dr Renzo Porsella Flores appeared for the accused.