A father and son were caught red-handed stealing from a house after an off-duty policeman spotted the pair acting suspiciously near the house, a court heard yesterday.

PC Emanuel Mamo saw Justin Polidano, 23, and Joseph Polidano, 52, near the house in Żurrieq on Saturday at around 9 p.m. and called for assistance.

When the mobile police squad arrived they surrounded the house and caught the two coming out holding a bag containing household items, Police Inspector Carlos Cordina said.

Before filing their pleas, defence lawyer Veronique Dalli suggested to Magistrate Lawrence Quintano that her client, Justin Polidano, be given a suspended jail term if he were to plead guilty.

But Magistrate Quintano said that he was not going to put up with plea bargaining and if they wanted to try and sort out something over punishment, they should go to the Attorney General's office.

Both men decided to plead not guilty to burgling the house, damaging the front door, driving without a licence or insurance, while Justin Polidano also pleaded not guilty to relapsing.

In pleas on bail, Dr Dalli asked the court to consider also placing them under house arrest.

Magistrate Quintano said his hands were tied when it came to house arrest following a "very clear judgment" against the practice by the Chief Justice on the matter.

Police Inspector Carlos Cordina told the court the two men were just not trustworthy and they should be remanded in custody.

The court granted the prosecution's request.

Lawyer José Herrera also appeared for the men.

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