Two men who gave a lift to a homeless friend were arrested because, unbeknown to them, he had stolen painting equipment, a court heard yesterday.

Police Inspector Jurgen Vella told Magistrate Neville Camilleri that, a Libyan and a Syrian had offered to give Ibarahim Tonsi, 37, another Libyan, a lift last Sunday.

Mr Tonsi asked them to stop him in Paola from where he stole painting equipment from a van, the officer said.

He recounted how Mr Tonsi wanted to go to Ħamrun to sell the stolen goods but, once there, they were stopped by police officers on the beat and the stolen goods found in their possession.

Insp. Vella explained investigations indicated that the two men who gave Mr Tonsi a lift were not involved in the theft and they were therefore released.

Mr Tonsi appeared in court yesterday and denied stealing and handling stolen property.

In pleas on bail, the prosecuting officer said that, by his own admission, Mr Tonsi was homeless and he would not be able to fulfil his obligations if he wasgranted bail.

Mr Tonsi said he was living at the YMCA homeless shelter, insisting he had no knowledge of the alleged stolen goods.

He was remanded in custody.