Man denies setting bowser truck on fire
The incident happened earlier this month in Tarxien
A 58-year-old man landed in court on Tuesday charged with setting fire to a water bowser in an alleged arson attack earlier this month.
Grazio Calleja, a Tarxien resident, was accused of setting fire to a vehicle during the early hours of May 11 in Triq L-Assejdu l-Kbir, Tarxien. He denies the charges.
The prosecution said investigators determined that the blaze had been deliberately started after someone allegedly placed straw near the bowser and set it alight. A fire expert concluded the incident was a case of arson.
The court heard how investigations kicked off the following day, with police speaking to the alleged victim and reviewing CCTV footage from the area. The footage showed the accused leaving his residence and approaching the vehicle. Shortly before the fire broke out, he was allegedly seen wearing a hoodie and being close to the vehicle before it caught fire.
He was arrested at his residence on May 18. The validity of the arrest was not contested by the defence.
The prosecution objected to bail, arguing that the case was still in its early stages and witnesses, including the owner of the field, still had to testify.
The prosecution also raised concerns about tampering with the evidence and the risk of further offences as investigations are still underway.
The defence argued that the prosecution’s fears were not substantiated, since the CCTV footage had already been provided.
The court denied the request for bail and ordered the accused to be remanded in custody. The court also issued a protection order in favour of the alleged victim. Magistrate Tanya Sammut presided over the sitting.
The prosecution was led by inspectors Keith Rizzo and Lydon Zammit, along with AG lawyer Joseph Camileri Azarov. Lawyer Robert Spiteri appeared for the accused.