Alleged burglar 'caught on camera'

A 26-year-old was photographed by a man as he allegedly made off with items he had just stolen from a club in Ħamrun.

Joseph Decelis was yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges of theft and causing damage to the property.

He stands accused of breaking into St Joseph Band Club in Ħamrun on Monday when he thought the place was empty.

Unbeknown to him, however, there were three people working upstairs, the court heard. The men shouted at him and scared him off but one of them used his mobile phone to take a photo of him as he was making his escape with items from the bar, which allegedly included cigarettes and alcohol.

The arraignment took place around half an hour after yesterday's massive power cut, which delayed proceedings as the courts grounded to a halt.

Mr Decelis paced nervously up and down and around the court room as he waited for his defence lawyer to appear and the proceedings to start.

He decided to plead not guilty to stealing the items worth over €232, handling stolen property, causing more than €350 in damage to the club and breaching the conditions of a previous release.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted.

Lawyer Kris Busietta appeared for the accused.