Six youngsters arraigned over thefts

Three males from Xagħra aged between 14 and 24 were yesterday charged with breaking into the local football club and stealing several items.

Marvic Mercieca, 24, together with a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old - whose names cannot be published because they are minors - pleaded not guilty to breaking into the club and stealing two televisions, a DVD player and a decoder last Tuesday at 1 a.m.

Magistrate Anthony Ellul presided over the case. Police Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted. Earlier, three youngsters aged between 16 and 17 years of age were arraigned in court for aggravated theft.

One of the young men, aged 17, who was charged separately with stealing a car and a motorbike earlier this month, pleaded guilty and was given a probation order for three years. The other two, who were charged with three separate thefts from two different self service stores and a hotel, pleaded not guilty. They were granted bail against a personal guarantee of €200 and on condition that they remain under the supervision of a probation officer.

Inspectors Carmelo Magri and Keith Arnaud prosecuted.