Illegal immigrant pleads innocent

A 20-year-old Palestinian man yesterday pleaded not guilty to trying to steal a car.

Ahmed Abdalla Yakoup was allegedly caught red-handed trying to steal the vehicle from Gilormu Cassar Avenue in Valletta.

The defence asked Magistrate Lawrence Quintano to consider granting the accused bail as this would be his first offence here.

The prosecution, headed by Police Inspector Daniel Zammit, argued, however, that since Mr Yakoup had arrived here illegally, the police could not be certain of his identity.

Inspector Zammit went on to explain that Mr Yakoup is a resident at the Hal Far open centre and could easily abscond.

Besides, the inspector added, he has a drug addiction problem.

After weighing these facts, Magistrate Lawrence Quintano granted Mr Yakoup bail on condition that he does not leave the centre without permission.

He bound him by a deposit of Lm200 and a personal guarantee of Lm1,000.

Lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared in his defence.