No bail for necklace thief

A 26-year old man from Valletta was today remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to 16 cases of necklace thefts from elderly women between November 2015 and May this year.

Kersten Camilleri was accused of committing the thefts in Ħamrun, Qormi, Valletta and Birkirkara; 14 of the thefts occurred between April and May.

He was accused of causing slight bodily harm to some of the women he stole the necklaces off. Most of the victims were women over 60 years old.

Camilleri was also accused of breaching the conditions of a suspended two-year jail term handed to him in November 2012, and relapsing.

Bail was not requested.

Magistrate Claire-Louise Stafrace heard the case. Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the accused. Police inspectors Robert Said Sarreo and Robert Vella prosecuted.