The owner of a cow farm this morning denied accusations in court that he had attempted to steal animals from another farm.

Richard Calleja, 30  of Msida, denied attempting to steal goats and other animals from a farm in Zurrieq last Friday. He was also accused of relapsing and failing to update his ID card after a change of address.

Inspector Arthur Mercieca, prosecuting, said the police had received a tip-off that a theft was in progress and officers of the Mobile Squad went to the scene and saw the accused trying to steal the animals.

The accused managed to escape, but he was well known to the police and had been recognised.

The inspector said the accused was on the run for two days before the police managed to track him down.

Defence lawyer Raphael Fenech Adami said the accused was never at the farm where the attempted theft was alleged to have taken place, and he had witnesses to prove this.

Dr Fenech Adami said it was ridiculous that the police could not track down the accused when he practically lived with his cows since this was a 24-hour job.

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