A police inspector said in court today that a man stole a mobile phone in court within 15 minutes of being handed a suspended sentence after admitting to living off the earnings of the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl.

Inspector James Grech was giving evidence in the case against Bruce Xuereb, 23 of Floriana, who denies conspiracy to theft, handling stolen property and relapsing.

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt in submissions on bail said this case involved only a mobile phone and his client should be granted bail.

Inspector Grech said the accused could not be trusted. He explained that last Friday Mr Xuereb was convicted of living off the earnings of a prostitute but he, together with another person, had stolen the mobile phone in order to pay for his lawyer.

The accused was granted bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €2,000.

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