Man remanded in custody after allegedly breaching bail conditions

A 25-year-old man from Birkirkara has been remanded in custody after allegedly breaching the conditions of his bail, claiming in court that he was unaware he was required to sign regularly.

Miguel Gaffarena was arraigned just a month after being released from the San Blas residential rehabilitation centre.

The court heard that police officers encountered him walking along a road in Marsa. After stopping to check on him and offer assistance, it emerged that he was outside during hours when he was required to observe a curfew.

When asked to respond to the charges, Gaffarena pleaded not guilty, telling the court: “I didn’t even know I had to sign.”

He explained to Magistrate Tanya Sammut that he had only recently completed a rehabilitation programme and had since found employment working with horses.

Despite his submissions, the court denied his request for bail, ordering that he be held under preventive custody at the Corradino Correctional Facility.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Omar Zammit.