Malcolm Mercieca, 28 of Kalkara was remanded in custody today after he was accused of stealing a bag from a car in Marsa yesterday.

The man was chased by a 12-year-old boy who had been in the vehicle. He was arrested by the police.

Mercieca was also accused of stealing a car from Hamrun in May, damaging the same car, and trying to withdraw money from an ATM using a stolen card.

He pleaded not guilty.

An 18-year-woman, Donna Sciberras, was accused of complicity by trying to distract the boy while yesterday's theft took place. She was also accused of being an accomplice in the theft of a car. She pleaded guilty and was placed under probation for three years.

The court heard how Ms Sciberras has lived practically her whole life in an institute.

Jean-Paul Mifsud from the YMCA testified behind closed doors about the woman's problems.