Kidnapping suspect found to be hosting several people in his Qormi garage

A salesman accused of kidnapping and injuring another man in his Qormi garage was found to be hosting several other people in the garage, a court heard on Sunday.

Inspectors told a court that they had found people living inside the Triq il-Mejjilla garage owned by Renald Baldacchino, “for reasons only he knows”.

Mr Baldacchino, a 38-year-old who works in sales, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to arresting, slightly injuring and threatening Pierre Sammut in a garage on Triq il-Mejjilla. He was also accused of being in possession of stolen items and being complicit in aggravated theft.

Inspectors Shaun Friggieri and Roderick Agius objected to a bail request, noting that many of the witnesses lived in Mr Baldacchino’s garage and that the accused had already been granted bail five months ago over separate charges.

Appearing for the accused, lawyer Noel Bianco argued that his client was just looking out for those less fortunate. There were several homeless people in the country who could not afford rent, he told a court. Hosting homeless people was not a crime, Dr Bianco added.

He said Mr Baldacchino had also collaborated with the police, and always followed bail...