A former football coach was charged with stealing more than €2,400 worth of goods from a Qawra cafeteria after DNA tests on a cigarette butt matched with his, a magistrate was told yesterday.

Police inspectors James Grech and Fabian Fleri told Magistrate Charmaine Galea the DNA results matched those of Dejan Petkovic. The Serbian man is already facing criminal proceedings over another theft.

The 33-year-old man from St Paul’s Bay, who said he was a plasterer, was charged with stealing more than €2,400 in cash and cigarettes from the Melita Gardens Cafeteria, in Qawra. He allegedly also caused more than €2,500 in damage to the cafeteria and to vending machines.

The incident took place early on January 13.

The prosecuting officer said the accused had been investigated over the theft of cigarettes and alcohol from a kiosk in Qawra on January 27. Although the police suspected he had also been involved in the Melita Gardens theft, they had no evidence to link him to the case but the DNA result changed this situation.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Lawyer Leontine Calleja appeared for the man.