Man charged with stealing Shetland ponies

52 of Bormla was released on bail after facing charges related to the theft of two Shetland ponies from a farm in Tarxien last July.

Dalli, who appeared before Magistrate Edwina Grima dressed in a t-shirt and denim shorts, pleaded not guilty to the theft charge, and promised to abide by the conditions that regulated his release on bail.

Dalli repeatedly called out to the Magistrate referring to her as 'Sir' in a bid to tell her that he was willing to obey the court's orders, leading many inside the court room to laugh at his behaviour.

Dalli was further charged with relapsing and committing a crime during the time of two effective suspended jail terms imposed by Magistrates Tonio Micallef Trigona and Carol Peralta, last June and July.

During submissions for bail, the court heard Inspector Spiridione Zammit say that the accused had been wanted for over a month. "He was never found at home and finally we discovered that each time we knocked at his door, he would hide inside a recess in the wall which would be covered by a large wardrobe," he said.

Inspector Zammit added that Dalli was not a trustworthy person. He was arrested at 11pm last night and took the police till 4am to hear him, as he insisted to be interrogated at night.

He was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.

Dalli was also ordered to be home between 10pm and 5am.