Charged with planning hold-up

Three men and a woman were yesterday charged in court with planning a hold-up at an establishment in Qormi.

The four - aged between 24 and 30 - were charged in two separate sittings before duty magistrate Myriam Hayman.

Mariano Pirrone, 30, of Salina, 24-year-old Joseph Muscat of Luqa, 29-year-old Maria-Claudette Camilleri of Żurrieq and Joswa Fenech, 24, of Qormi were denied bail. They pleaded not guilty.

However, in the case of Mr Fenech, who was arraigned in a separate sitting, the magistrate recommended that the accused be allowed to undergo a drug rehabilitation programme.

The four were accused of planning a violent hold-up on Gold Play, in Qormi, in which they could have stolen up to €2,329.37 (Lm1,000). They were also charged with being in possession of a firearm without a licence and with relapsing.

Mr Fenech was also accused of acquiring a gun, of being in possession of a weapon and ammunition when he was arrested and with failing to give a satisfactory explanation how several items ended up in his possession.

Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Malcolm Bondin prosecuted while lawyers Mark Busuttil appeared for Mr Muscat, Marion Camilleri for Mr Pirrone and Ms Camilleri and Noel Bianchi for Mr Fenech.