An 18- and a 16-year-old, both from Ghaxaq were granted bail after pleading not guilty to a string of thefts from various kiosks over the past month.

In the majority of cases the thefts - through forcing open cigarette vending machines - allegedly took place late at night.

The two defendants, whose names cannot be published by court order, were arraigned today before Magistrate Charmaine Galea.

Police inspectors James Grech and Daryl Borg accused both teenagers with a series of thefts carried out on separate occasions from kiosks in Blata l-Bajda, Gudja and Valletta as well as a mini market in Msida.

In some cases, the value of the items which included a cash register exceeded €2,330. They were also accused of damaging a number of cigarette vending machines.

The 18-year-old was also charged with involvement in a burglary from a Sliema kiosk. The minor was charged with theft from Gudja Football Club and with relapsing.

Defence Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili requested bail, noting there was little danger of any tampering of evidence in the wake of the fact that the police were in possession fingerprints and CCTV footage.

Dr Dalli also noted that in the initial statement both teenagers admitted to two of the charges.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea granted bail to the two young men against a personal guarantee of €300 and a deposit of €1,000 each. The court also had some of advice for the accused telling them to be careful.

“You are far too young to ruin your lives,” the magistrate warned.