No bail for man charged with JB Stores robbery

A man from Birzebbugia, who was caught in the act of robbing the JB Stores storage facility in Iklin yesterday, has been remanded in custody after being charged with aggravated theft, voluntary damage and relapsing.

35-year-old Amadeo Grima, who is unemployed but works for the local council under a government scheme, pleaded not guilty to the charges this morning.

Lawyer Joseph Ellis, appearing as legal aid to the accused, told the court that insofar as he was aware, Grima had been stopped in his car. He explained that the accused had been scheduled to begin a drug rehab program today and had to miss it due to his arrest. He requested bail.

But the prosecution, led by police inspectors Fabian Fleri and Christabelle Chetcuti, clarified that the accused had been caught red-handed and objected to bail, citing the fact that the accused is a recidivist, as well as the fact that the charges include two breaches of bail conditions for different offences.

Additional witnesses were yet to testify, they added.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli upheld the prosecution’s request and ordered that the man be remanded in custody, also ordering that his car be impounded as evidence.