The prosecutor in a theft case today received recognition for a job well done, albeit sarcastically, from the accused, who also 'fired' his legal aid lawyer after the hearing.

The man, 28-year-old Sebastian Engstrom Launoila was remanded in custody after having been charged with stealing a bag worth €80 and an Ipad worth €875 from an employee of the St Julian's hotel he was staying at.

Mr Launoila was recalcitrant throughout the court hearing, complaining that his case has been handled "in the worst way possible" before proceedings even got under way.

His partner, Nina Katrina, told the court that the police came to their St Julian's hotel room yesterday looking for the bag.

It was found in the couple's luggage holdall. Ms Katrina told the court that she has no idea who the bag belongs to.

She phoned up the accused, who promised to come to the hotel but never turned up.

The couple have been living in Malta for 10 months, though they moved out of their Sliema residence five days ago.

Halfway through her testimony, the accused interrupted, saying his partner was not feeling well.

He was repeatedly told to be quiet by his legal aid lawyer Alessandro Lia, who was summarily "fired" by the accused after the hearing.

Inspector Trevor Micallef also received plaudits from the accused, albeit sarcastically, when he congratulated him for doing a "good job."

Magistrate Charmaine Galea denied the man bail on the basis that has has no fixed address, passport or identity card, and he may try and communicate with the victim.

The case continues.