Youths suspected of string of robberies granted bail

The three young men have been granted bail after spending nearly a month in custody.

Three young men who were being held on suspicion of committing several robberies reported in recent weeks have been granted bail after spending nearly a month in custody.

Kane Grima, 20, Daniel Perrie Amarni Sciberras, 27, and Josef Galea, 19, had been charged with the armed robbery of a grocery store in San Gwann, holding the storekeeper against her will and handling stolen goods, on March 20.

Grima and Amarni Sciberras were separately charged with stealing €1,943 and €600 worth of mobile top up cards from a convenience store in Msida and conspiracy to carry out the heist, during which three men were held against their will.

Grima and Galea faced separate charges for stealing €900 from a Gzira convenience store on 6 January; stealing €2,868 during an armed hold-up from another Gzira convenience store on 11 February; the armed robbery of a San Gwann lotto booth on 19 February; and stealing number plates from parked cars in San Gwann and Mriehel.

A magistrate had ordered that the youths be remanded in custody due to the serious nature of the offence, leaving them no choice but to take the issue to the superior courts.

In her judgement on the matter, Madame Justice Edwina Grima noted that the boys' parents were willing to keep the accused on the straight and narrow and that Kane Grima’s father was prepared to employ him.

She reversed the prohibition on bail. Grima was released on a €5,000 personal deposit and a personal guarantee of €10,000. Armani Sciberras and Galea were granted bail on a €3,000 deposit and a €10,000 personal guarantee.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Amadeus Cachia, Andrew Sciberras and Kathleen Grima appeared for the three accused.