A storekeeper at the Water Services Corporation was this morning remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to a string of thefts traced to him by fingerprints left at the scenes of crime.

Fabian Vella, 35, from Paola, was charged with having stolen cash from two private residences and from a Boys' MUSEUM centre in February and March.

Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, heard the prosecution explain how last week Mr Vella was questioned in relation to the theft of a purse containing some €300 from a house in Qormi. The owner had allegedly invited Mr Vella for tea as a family friend when, shortly after the visit, she realized that her purse was missing.

In the course of this investigation, the prosecuting officer received a call from the Forensic Unit informing her that the suspect's fingerprints matched those elevated from the scene of another theft.

The inspector explained how on March 3, at around 8.45pm, an 87-year-old woman got a surprise visit from Mr Vella who demanded access to her home under a false pretext of fixing a water fault. Sensing the woman's reluctance to let him in, Mr Vella warned her that her home would be flooded during the night unless he fixed the fault.

Sensing the woman's reluctance to let him in, Mr Vella warned her that her home would be flooded during the night unless he fixed the fault.

As soon as the old lady unlatched the door, the intruder barged in, toppling over his frail victim. Under the pretence of looking for a bucket, Mr Vella allegedly began to rummage through the woman's possessions asking her for money. The terrified lady handed over her purse containing €20 which was all the cash she had at home.

On an earlier occasion in February, the man was linked to the theft of a charity box at the Boys' MUSEUM centre in Tarxien. The court was told that the man had allegedly helped himself to some €51 after visiting the centre, leaving behind an incriminating soft drink bottle which gave him away. 

After consulting his client, the defence lawyer filed a request for bail pointing out that the man risked losing his job if he were to be remanded in custody. Moreover, the defence explained that Mr Vella's drug problem had reared its head once again after the recent loss of his mother.

The court, while expressing solidarity with Mr Vell over his loss, observed that the death of his loved one did not justify the physical aggression against his elderly victim. "He should have shown more respect towards the old lady," the court remarked.

Likewise the court rapped the accused for the theft from the MUSEUM centre. "These people carry out sterling work within our community, offering their services towards the good of our children," the magistrate observed.

The court, noting further that the accused had breached a previous probation order and was also a relapser, denied the request for bail.

Inspector Chantelle Casha prosecuted.

Lawyer George Anton Buttigieg was defence counsel.