Karozzin driver denies multiple armed robbery charges

A karozzin driver from Marsa has been remanded in custody this afternoon after being charged with committing a number of armed robberies over the course of this month.

Kersten Catania, 25, is already known to the police, having been charged with similar thefts in the past. Catania appeared in court with a superficial wound over his right eye.

Prosecuting police inspectors Saviour Baldacchino and Kylie Borg accused the man with five counts of aggravated theft. These included the robbery, at knifepoint, of a female customer at a Qormi pharmacy on 19 January during which the woman suffered slight injuries and two similar armed robberies of a Qormi confectionery on 15 and 29 January, in which a woman had also been held against her will.

Catania was also accused of carrying out another two thefts, both of them aggravated by time and means, from a Marsa club on 21 January and 28 January.

As he had been placed on probation by a previous court, Catania was also charged with breaching the conditions laid out in the probation order.

Inspector Borg informed the court that a knife had been used in some of the robberies.

His lawyer, Martin Fenech entered a plea of not guilty and requested bail. The accused informed the court that his girlfriend is due to give birth soon and that he would like to be present, but inspector Baldacchino then pointed out that the accused had told him that the birth was still months away. Catania's conduct sheet spoke for itself as did the charges, the inspector said, adding that the accused lives near the areas where the crimes had taken place and that witnesses were yet to testify.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit turned down the request for bail at this stage, in order to allow the witnesses to testify. After their testimony was recorded, the question of bail could be revisited, it said.