Drugs thought to be reason behind petty thefts as two are denied bail

Two men, who are thought to have serious substance abuse problems, have been denied bail after pleading not guilty to a number of minor thefts.

Paul Gauci Borda, 23, and Omar Bekbak, 30, both from Gzira were arraigned before magistrate Rachel Montebello this afternoon, accused of having stolen tools from a parked vehicle yesterday, which charge was aggravated by the value of the objects stolen.

Gauci Borda alone was also accused of stealing deodorants, two charity donation boxes and a number of bottles of alcohol from several shops. Bekbak was separately charged with breaching bail and a probation order.

Lawyer Martin Fenech entered not guilty pleas for the accused arguing that the crimes were not serious, but prosecuting inspector Jonathan Ransley retorted, saying “the fact that they are stealing stupid things means that their problem is very serious indeed.”

The court heard how the men, who appeared drowsy and rested their heads on the desk in front of them, were heavy drug users.

Family members wept as a request for bail was denied, after the court took a look at the accused’s criminal records and said it was “entirely unconvinced” that the accused could be trusted to observe their bail conditions. The court, however, recommended that the director of prisons to make necessary arrangements to give the accused the medical assistance they needed.