A 16-year-old boy and his 15-year-old girlfriend, who both live at a YMCA residence for the homeless, were yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to stealing €400 from the pension of the girl’s great uncle.

The teenagers, who cannot be named because they are minors, stood sheepishly in court as Police Inspector Jason Agius testified that the 82-year-old uncle was with the couple on Wednesday when he cashed his pension cheque.

They were in the vicinity of McDonalds at the airport when the couple stole his wallet and made off with the cash, Inspector Agius said.

In pleas on bail, legal aid lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores said the young couple were pleading innocent and they had a place to live, which would ensure they turned up in court.

Inspector Agius said the witnesses still had to testify and because of their relationship there might be tampering of evidence. Magistrate Anthony Vella remanded them in custody after taking into consideration the circumstances of the case.

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