Man remanded in custody over charges of aggravated theft

A man who was found in possession of two stolen mobile phones has been remanded in custody after denying charges of aggravated theft

Inspector Caruana explained that the accused had previous convictions on serious cases of theft and attempted rape, as well as having been jailed in the past
Inspector Caruana explained that the accused had previous convictions on serious cases of theft and attempted rape, as well as having been jailed in the past

A man who was found in possession of two stolen mobile phones has been remanded in custody after denying charges of aggravated theft.

Ahmedsharif Issa Haydar, 34, from Somalia, appeared under arrest before magistrate Monica Vella this morning after police traced one of the stolen phones to the man's location in Floriana.

Aside from theft and handling stolen goods, Haydar, who resides in the Marsa Open Centre, was accused of breaching previous bail conditions. Just over a year ago, Haydar had been charged with grievously injuring and robbing a flatmate. The court was also told that the accused had been convicted of attempted rape.

Police inspector Priscilla Caruana charged the man with two counts of aggravated theft, handling stolen goods, relapsing and breaching his bail conditions.

Inspector Caruana explained that the accused had previous convictions on serious cases of theft and attempted rape, as well as having been jailed in the past. The phones had been tracked and led police to Floriana over the weekend where the accused was found with the two stolen mobile phones, worth around €600 apiece, in his possession. Haydar had claimed to have bought the phones - minus their chargers - for €50 in Paceville and had been on his way to Floriana to sell them. Circumstantial evidence pointed to him being in Paceville at 10:00pm and that he had been on a bus to Valletta at 6:00am, the inspector said.

Haydar's defence lawyer, George Anton Buttigieg told the court that his client was “categorically denying stealing or receiving” the stolen items, but did not contest the charge of breaching bail conditions as the accused had told police that he had gone out drinking in Paceville. “He is in fixed employment, would he go steal a mobile?”

The accused had initially appeared willing to plead guilty in return for a non-custodial sentence, but after this option was shot down when the prosecution explained the man's previous convictions, he pleaded not guilty.

Haydar was remanded in custody.