A man well known to the police due to his long criminal record together with his two teenage sons this morning were charged over a string of thefts including €150,000 worth of electricity cables from the interconnector tunnel.

Keith Joseph Mallia, 44, from Ghaxaq and his two sons, aged 17 and 16 were arraigned before magistrate Audrey Demicoli and were granted bail after pleading not guilty.

The three of them were charged of a series of thefts at various points of the interconnector tunnel  which stretches between Maghtab and Kappara, in October last year.

In addition, they were also accused of robbing Tender Fresh, a food processing facility in Marsa no less than three times between October and December of last year. A fourth attempt was thwarted and the men arrested by the police.

The court heard how Mr Mallia senior had been in and out of the courts over the past 17 years, on a variety of criminal charges. The men were also charged with relapsing in view of their previous convictions.  

Mr Mallia's eldest son alone was additionally charged with breaching a probation order.

The father was also accused of failing to observe previous bail conditions, committing a crime during the operative period of two suspended sentences.

Magistrate Demicoli granted the men bail against an individual €2,500 personal guarantee. The father was additionally required to deposit €500 in court.

Lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili appeared for the men whereas police Inspectors Saviour Baldacchino and Spiridione Zammit prosecuted. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared parte civile for Tender Fresh Ltd.