A teenage bicycle thief found himself receiving some words of advice from a concerned magistrate in court on Friday.

The 14-year-old boy entered the courtroom accompanied by his distraught parents, two police officers, his lawyer as well as a social worker from Appoġġ facing charges over the theft which allegedly took place last Wednesday.

He stands accused of having stolen an almost-new 'We The People' bicycle worth €573 and then reselling it for €100, splitting the earnings with a friend. 

Before the hearing kicked off, all other members of the public, save for the media, were asked to leave the room owing to the particular circumstances and sensitivity of the case.

Defence lawyer Yanika Bugeja informed the court that her client was admitting to the charge and asked the court to order a pre-sentencing report. This would look into the boy's personal problems and give the magistrate more details before delivering judgment.

Prosecuting inspector Josric Mifsud agreed to this suggestion "100 per cent". 

No request for bail was made, with the court ordering that the youngster was to be detained at YOURS ( the Young Offenders Unit) pending the continuation of proceedings.

The court also ordered that a team of professionals was to gather around the boy to address his various problems, reporting back to the court on his progress.

It was a moving scene at the end of the hearing, when the magistrate called the boy, tearful and nervous, to approach the bench together with his parents, police, lawyer and social worker too, to impart some words of sound advice.