Car thief remanded in custody

A young man who stole a car was remanded in custody after a magistrate realised he had already been given probation on "practically the same charges".

The 18-year-old Englishman, Mark Bennett, admitted to taking the rental car after stealing the keys from inside the Executive Rentals shop along the Sliema front last Friday.

In submissions on punishment, legal aid lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores asked the court to take into consideration the fact that his client had fully cooperated with the police and had given a detailed police statement.

Examining his criminal record, Magistrate Anthony Vella noted that he had already been put on probation for "practically the same charges" and decided to postpone judgment until he had seen a report by Mr Bennett's probation officer.

The court denied Mr Bennett bail until judgment next week.