An 18-year-old charged with committing a hold-up at a Mosta betting shop two weeks ago was once again denied bail today, with Magistrate Joe Mifsud stating that the court had to safeguard the rights of society and not just the accused. 

Lawyer Franco Debono requested bail for Justin Scicluna, arguing that the accused was still young and that all the civilian witnesses had testified, so there was no fear of him tampering the evidence.

He said his client could be  supervised by a probation officer.

Magistrate Mifsud turned down the request.

"It seems to have become customary to protect the interests of those arraigned in court and not the needs of society. Society is terrified," Magistrate Mifsud said.

The time had come to safeguard society and not just the rights of those associated with crime. 

The teenager, who has a criminal record, was accused of aggravated theft, holding a person against his will, stealing €500, being in possession of an unlicensed weapon and wearing a mask to hide his face.

He was also accused of breaching the conditions of a suspended sentenced handed down last April.

Most of the evidence was presented behind closed doors, after it emerged that gaming operators had inserted a tracking device inside money notes to enable the police to trace perpetrators.

Brandon Camilleri, a friend of the accused who had given him lift, took the witness stand, saying that he was unaware of his friend's plan to rob Izibet.

He said that the accused had asked him to give him a lift while they were playing Playstation online.

He dropped him off next to Shoe Market in Mosta and saw him return with a black bag.

"He told me to drive off. I asked him why and he told me: 'Now I'll tell you'. I never suspected he would do anything of the sort."

The two ended up hiding for some 45 minutes in a field, as they heard approaching police sirens. The accused told him he had committed a hold-up and proceeded to burn some items and change his clothes.

The case will continue on January 8.