A man who stands accused of stealing €50,000 in a hold-up in Naxxar in September had worked for his victim for a week, a court was told today.

David Mifsud is accused of stealing the cash from Doriette Tedesco and holding her against her will. He is pleading not guilty.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia, prosecuting, told a court today that around 5.45 p.m. on September 15 the police were informed of an armed robbery in a street in Naxxar.

They found the victim Doriette Tedesco in a state of shock. She had just parked outside her residence and while she was still in her car two people drove up in a Toyota Corolla. They left their car in the middle of the road. A man got out, opened her car and pulled out her handbag. The bag contained €50,000 in cash and some documents.

Ms Tedesco told the police that the men were wearing basball caps and dark sunglasses and that the man who opened her car had a mark on his hand. She said he had threatened her and before leaving he threw something in the road. It turned out to be a wooden baton.

The police searched the area and found the abandoned Toyota, which had been reported stolen the previous day from Mosta.

Inspector Mallia said Ms Tedesco ran two restaurants in Paceville and on that day she left Bay Street at 5.20 p.m. CCTV footage showed one of her employees walking out to make a phone call. Further investigations into phone records showed that he called a number registered on David Mifsud, the accused.

Three men were arrested including Mr Mifsud and further investigations revealed that Mr Mifud's mobile, when he answered the call, was in the Burmarrad area.

DNA and fingerprints were taken from the three suspects and Mr Mifsud's prints were found on Ms Tedesco's car.

Inspector Mallia said that Mr Mifsud had been employed in one of Ms Tedesco's restaurants for a week and he had a drug abuse problem.

The case continues in January.

Mr Mifsud was remanded in custody.