Man remanded in custody after attempting to steal police inspector’s car

46-year-old man pleads not guilty to threatening police inspector, attempted theft of police inspector’s vehicle.

A 46-year-old man from Attard was this afternoon remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to attempting to steal a police inspector’s vehicle in St Julian’s yesterday.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at around 5pm in Triq il-Knisja, St Julian’s, when the accused, Simon Peter Chircop, was spotted attempting to steal a Nissan belonging to Inspector Pierre Micallef Grimaud.

Presided by Magistrate Neville Camilleri, the court heard how a nearby police officer spotted Chircop trying to steal the car, and consequently arrested him. Prosecuting inspector Trevor Micallef told the court that upon being taken to the police station, the accused also threatened Inspector Micallef Grimaud, and also threatened that he would damage his car.

Chircop denied the charges.

He also pleaded not guilty to damaging the police inspector’s vehicle, to being in the illegal possession of a knife,  and to being in possession of tools used for stealing.

In submissions for bail, prosecuting inspector Trevor Micallef told the court that the prosecution would be objecting bail due to the “serious nature of the charges,” and due to the accused’s voluminous criminal record and threats against the police officer.

In his decree, Magistrate Camilleri upheld the prosecution's plea and remanded Chircop in custody, ruling that given the accused’s criminal record, he cannot be trusted.