A Valletta man charged with burning down a 120-year-old festive arch in Floriana has had his bail confirmed - but only on condition he not attend any celebrations related to Valletta FC’s league victory. 

City fans will on Friday evening be holding their customary mock ‘funeral’ to mark clinching the Premier League. The season wraps up tomorrow with the FA Trophy final between Valletta and Balzan. 

In their red and white strip, fans take to the streets of the capital where they parade carnival float style funeral caskets, for their Premier League rivals.

Bjorn Grima, a 33-year-old taxi driver from Valletta, has pleaded not guilty to starting the blaze, in the early morning of April 27, which destroyed the arch as well as four parked cars.

Bjorn Grima outside court.

The fierce fire raged for 90 minutes, reducing the structure to cinders.

Times of Malta had reported that according to investigators, petrol was used to burn down the structure.

Bail confirmed despite AG's appeal

Although Magistrate Audrey Demicoli had granted bail against a deposit of €7,000 and a personal guarantee of another €7,000, this decision was appealed by the Attorney General.

In a judgement handed down by Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera on Friday, Mr Grima’s bail was maintained.

However, he was also ordered not to attend any celebrations related to Valletta FC’s victory and given a 10pm curfew.

Conditions for bail, she argued, were there to minimise the risk of repeat offence or any other irregularity.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Amadeus Cachia and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.