Plastic pistol used in hold-up on hawkers

Two men who allegedly carried out an armed robbery on two women in what was described as "purely a drug-related crime" were remanded in custody at Mount Carmel Hospital.

The men, Christopher Mifsud, 21, and Tony Zammit, 30, allegedly first stole a car and then held up a mother and her daughter, who are vegetable hawkers, using a plastic pistol.

Mr Zammit allegedly waited in the car while Mr Mifsud carried out the hold-up and the two then drove off with the cash register taken from the victims' truck.

They pleaded not guilty to stealing the car on Monday, holding the women against their will, threatening them and causing damage to their truck.

Mr Mifsud denied breaching the conditions of a previous release and Mr Zammit denied relapsing.

During submissions on bail, defence lawyer Veronique Dalli reserved the right to request bail at a later stage as Magistrate Lawrence Quintano said he would remand them in custody.

She also asked for them to be kept at the drug dependency unit at Mount Carmel Hospital as this was "purely a drug-related crime".

Police Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.

Lawyer Josè Herrera also appeared for the accused.