A couple appeared in court today charged with the theft of several donation boxes as well as a string of other thefts.

Sandra Grixti, 26, from Zurrieq and Christian Said, 31, from Fgura, both unemployed, admitted to stealing the donation boxes and to other thefts over a period of three months.

The couple was arrested by the Rapid Intervention Unit yesterday afternoon after they grabbed a donation box from a lotto office in Zebbug and fled. The donation box was collecting funds for Moviment Missjunarju Gesu fil-Proxxmu.

The previous day, they stole an Inspire donation box while a day before that, at 6.15am, they stole a handbag containing cash and a chequebook from a butcher in Kalkara.

They were also charged with stealing yet another donation box, this time of the Breast Cancer Awareness Group from a shop in Zabbar in October 22 and with stealing cash from a Mercedes parked in Zabbar on October 13.

On Monday, they stole a Mission Fund donation box from a shop in Birkirkara and another Inspire donation box from another shop an hour later.

They were also accused of stealing cash from a car parked in Qormi on the night of August 6 and of committing these crimes during the operative term of a probation order. Mr Said alone was charged with breaching bail.

Before Magistrate Gabriella Vella, the two pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. The case was put off to tomorrow for Mr Said's punishment and to November 3 for Ms Grixti's.

Police Inspectors Josric Mifsud, Joseph Mercieca and Roderick Agius prosecuted while lawyers Noel Bianco, Silvio Brincat and Yanika Bugeja appeared for the accused.