Two siblings were remanded in custody today after a court heard how they used to distract shopkeepers using a four-year-old girl while one of them stole items to fuel their drug habits.

Daniela Cassar, 34 and her brother Omar Chalbi, 21, both of San Gwann, are pleading not guilty to shoplifting earlier this month from Gudja Pharmacy and from Dorian Fashionware in Zebbug, taking items worth some €200 in each case.

They also deny relapsing. Omar Chalbi also denied driving without a licence.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit said that the siblings would take Daniela Cassar's daughter with them and the mother and child would distract shopkeepers while Omar Chalbi shoplifted.

The inspector said he was calling on the court to deny bail since it was probable that the accused would soon be on the prowl again to steal items in order to buy drugs.

"They would do anything to get drugs," he said.

Defence counsel Jose' Herrera said this was a case of petty theft.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, while leafing through the criminal records of the accused, commented that their crimes were repetetive - and they had been probation and suspended sentences.

Dr Herrera said they should be granted bail under the supervision of a probabtion officer.

Speaking in court, the woman said that the last time she was convicted, she was given a suspended jail term and she had spent three years without drugs, before succumbing to them again recently. She said she had learnt her lesson last time.

Magistrate Apap Bologna said this was a difficult case but he decided to remand them in custody, with a recommendation that they be given help to overcome their drug addiction.