Arsonist charged with ‘terrorising Valletta residents’

A 21-year-old man will be charged later today with a string of arson attacks on cars and a residence in Valletta

Valletta mayor and TV presenter Alfred Zammit had his car set on fire outside his house. The attack was one in a string of arsons that hit the capital this year.
Valletta mayor and TV presenter Alfred Zammit had his car set on fire outside his house. The attack was one in a string of arsons that hit the capital this year.

A 21 year old Valletta man was remanded in custody after being charged with terrorising residents of the capital city through a string of arson attacks.

Store keeper Brentley Pace was accused of setting fire to cars and a front door to a residence in Valletta. The string of attacks took place between April and September this year, the court heard Inspector Jeffrey Scicluna explain.      

Another four cars that were parked in the vicinity of the targeted vehicles also sustained damage in the various attacks.

READ ALSO: Valletta mayor’s car is set on fire one week after speaking out on arson attacks

He was apprehended after an intensive investigation by the Major Crimes Unit and the Valletta District police.

Pace was arrested on the strength of CCTV footage last September. He has been on police bail since then.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested bail. This was strongly opposed by the prosecution.

The court denied bail, noting there were several witnesses yet to testify as well as the gravity of the offences.

Inspectors Jeffrey Scicluna, Saviour Baldacchino and Priscilla Caruana Lee prosecuted.

Lawyer David Gatt appeared for Pace.

The man will be charged by Inspectors Jeffrey Scicluna, Saviour Baldacchino and Priscilla Caruana Lee. He is expected to appear in front of Magistrate Nadine Lia.