There was no place where troubled young women could be cared for, a lawyer lamented yesterday as his 18-year-old client pleaded not guilty to stealing two guns.

The teenager is no stranger to the law court, probably the result of a troubled upbringing.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius informed the court the accused would be kept in prison after failing to obey a court order to stay in a shelter.

Defence lawyer Peter Fenech lamented and noted “we do not have a home for girls such as this and that is the reality”, adding that “it is frustrating”.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman asked: “Frustrating for who? You, her or us?”

Dr Fenech said it was definitely frustrating for everybody.

The teenager pleaded not guilty to stealing two pistols, a Berretta and Walther, from the man who engaged her to clean his house.

She also denied illegal possession of a firearm, handling stolen property and relapsing.

Dr Fenech informed the court he would not require bail for the time being.

Telling the teenager to look at her and to listen very carefully, Magistrate Hayman pointed out that, while she was innocent until proven guilty, it was of paramount importance that if she was aware where the guns were she should inform the police because such weapons could cause serious harm to someone.

The girl had marked her 16th birthday behind bars after she was remanded in custody in August 2010 when she had been charged, together with a youth of the same age, with stealing an elderly man’s €400 pension.

The case had hit the headlines after she revealed that she had been given heroin by an inmate while in custody.