Drug addict charged with stealing cables

Anthony Mallia, 38 from Marsa was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to stealing €180 worth of cables from Nylon Knitting factory in Qormi. 

The prosecuting officer told the court how police officers apprehended the accused around 30 minutes from when the theft was reported. A search in Mallia’s vehicle revealed the stolen cables stashed inside the booth of his car.

Inspector Joseph Agius explained how the value of the stolen items could be higher than €180 as more cables were later found in his possession.

Defense attorney Ilona Schembri requested bail, saying the accused is currently unemployed, suffers from a drug addiction and fathered a child.

Inspector Agius objected to the request arguing that the accused was already convicted of drug trafficking in the past, and neither did he cooperate with the police.

“Investigators are still looking for the accomplices whose identities were not revealed by the accused. Furthermore Mallia’s girlfriend is also being investigated in connection with the case and the court should ensure no evidence is tampered with by the accused”, the officer said.

The court rejected the request for bail and remanded the accused in custody.

Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted while Dr Ilona Schembri appeared for the accused.