Accused of robbing petrol stations while on bail... for robbing petrol stations

A man who was out on bail for allegedly robbing a number of petrol stations during the summer was charged again this morning for returning to his old habit... robbing from petrol stations.

Dennis Cremona, 41, was charged with a series of break-ins at service stations in July and had originally been remanded in custody. He was released from arrest on August 10 after filing a successful application to the criminal court, asking it to revoke the decision denying him bail.

Cremona, who has no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to causing voluntary damage and stealing cash from a service station in Lija at 1:20 am on Sunday. He also denied similar charges relating to theft from another service station in Birzebbuga four days before and third break-in at a petrol station in Marsa before that.

Police inspector Elton Taliana explained how the accused had been arrested in Naxxar square and found in possession of burglary tools, which is in itself a crimnal offence given he had already been convicted of theft. He was also charged with breaching the bail conditions granted by the criminal court.

Defence lawyer Joe Brincat entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Cremona, but did not request bail.

The man was remanded in custody.