Thief remanded in custody

Ivan Galea, 38, of Valletta, was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to stealing a Triumph motorcycle and other items during this month.

The prosecution told the court that the police had been investigating CCTV footage from areas in Marsa in connection with a theft in the area. The video footage led investigators to the accused, who at first collaborated with the police. Galea also helped the police recover some of the stolen items.

The majority of the thefts took place during the night of 22 August. The accused was charged with stealing a motorcycle on August 22, stealing items from inside a parked vehicle, damaging the same vehicle and driving without insurance and licence. He was also charged with handling stolen property, keeping tools used to break into cars and relapsing.

Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo requested bail however the prosecution objected due to the accused's voluminous criminal past. There is also the risk of Galea interfering with evidence and witnesses.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras refused bail and remanded the accused in custody.