A man was charged in court yesterday morning with conspiring with other people to carry out an armed robbery.

Appearing before magistrate Antonio Mizzi, Noel Catania, 34, from Mqabba denied charges of possessing weapons and ammunition without a licence issued by the Commissioner of Police, stealing a car and handling stolen property.

Magistrate Mizzi turned down a request for bail and Mr Catania was remanded in custody.

In a separate arraignment, a 39-year-old man from Msida was charged with seriously injuring a 79-year-old Irishman on Tuesday evening in Sliema.

Paul Costa pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. He was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm1,000.

In another case, Michele Panizzi, a 37-year-old Italian who lives in Sliema, was accused of being in possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence issued by the Police Commissioner. He admitted the charges brought against him and was given a five months’ prison sentence, suspended for a year.