Updated 1.35pm, adds court hearing

A second man was remanded in custody on Thursday after pleading not guilty to his alleged complicity in an arson attack on a Luqa residence in December.

The 39-year-old father from Ta’ Xbiex, whose name was banned from publication to safeguard his minor child, was escorted to court, two days after his alleged accomplice had likewise denied charges of complicity in the arson attempt and voluntary damage to third party property.

Prosecuting Inspector Mario Xiberras, from the Violent Crimes Unit, explained how the accused had allegedly commissioned the attack, pointing out to his accomplice the targeted property in Wilga Street and even dropping him off there in a taxi.

On the way, the duo stopped at a service station, filling an empty water bottle with petrol. 

That fuel was sprinkled over two potted plants near the entrance and was set alight, the blaze causing damage to the front door of the residence, the inspector said.

Investigators had subsequently tracked down the duo, working their way to the second accused through evidence including mobile phone localisation data which appeared to show that at the time of the incident, between 3.30 and 5am, seven text messages had been exchanged between the two suspects.

The second man on Thursday pleaded not guilty.

When making submissions on bail, lawyer Ezekiel Psaila argued that the man had no past brushes with the law and had cooperated with police.

However, after strong objections by the prosecution, the court, presided over by magistrate Ian Farrugia turned down the request.

Inspector Hubert Cini from the Luqa District Station also prosecuted.