A 23-year-old student was remanded in custody on Monday after pleading not guilty to allegedly setting fire to a garage while another man was inside.

Iedryas Abdulhakiem El Gabaily, a Libyan national residing in San Ġwann, was arraigned on charges relating to an incident on 10 October, during which he allegedly deliberately set fire to a garage with a person inside.

The accused was charged with arson, causing slight injuries to the alleged victim,  causing him to fear that violence would be used against him or his property, and making threats and insults through electronic communications.

He also faced charges of breaching the public peace and disturbing residents through shouting and excessive noise.

The prosecution told the court that the alleged victim had reported being confronted and assaulted by El Gabaily.

Bail was not requested at this stage and El Gabaily was remanded in custody.

The court also issued a protection order in favour of the alleged victim.

Inspector Joseph Buhagiar prosecuted alongside Attorney General lawyer Joseph Camilleri Azarov.

The accused was represented by lawyers Helen Caruana and Shazoo Ghaznavi.

Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia presided.