A man who denied stealing a Royal Gazette newspaper in the early hours of Friday morning was remanded in custody yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Kevin Dillas, 41, of no fixed abode, was spotted by a taxi driver taking the newspaper from outside of the Washington Mall in Hamilton.

The driver saw the Dillas again near the Stationery Store, when he approached his cab, swinging a bottle at the driver and demanding money.

Police found Dillas, who by then had thrown the bottle through the Stationary Store window, arrested him and charged him with theft, damaging property and the use of offensive language.

Dillas swore at Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves, adding: "A man of my character - why would I steal a 75 cent newspaper."

Dillas pleaded guilty to smashing the glass door, using offensive language and offensive behaviour, but denied stealing the newspaper. He was remanded in custody until April 19.