A 49-year-old man was not granted bail after yesterday pleading not guilty to attempting to set his own house on fire, while under the influence of alcohol.

Carmelo Camilleri from Qormi, pleaded not guilty before presiding magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, to attempting to set his house on fire while his two children were still inside on Tuesday evening.

He was also charged with damaging two cars belonging to his neighbours, breaching the peace, being drunk in public and assaulting a neighbour.

The court refused the man’s request for bail and remanded Mr Camilleri in custody.

Police Inspector Jesmond Borg prosecuted while Dr Joseph Sammut appeared for the accused.