A man who works as a supermarket shelf stacker today denied his involvement in the theft of several items of jewellery from a house in Valletta, during which a 76-year-old woman was held against her will and slightly injured.

The theft took place in St Ursula Street in Valletta on November 19, 2013.

James Agius, 26, from Floriana, was charged after another person, who at the time was just 13 years old, had admitted to the crime and told the police that he was not alone. Mr Agius was also charged with slightly injuring the elderly woman and holding her against her will.

When he appeared before Magistrate Ian Farrugia, Mr Agius denied the charges brought against him. He was granted bail against a deposit of €2,000 and a €10,000 personal guarantee.

The court noted the accused’s criminal record was clean, aside from a minor conviction for his part in a fight with a friend while the two were playing a PlayStation game.

Police Inspector Carlos Cordina prosecuted while lawyer Veronique Dalli appeared for the accused.