A 34-year-old man was yesterday charged with going on a stealing spree around the island while under the influence of cocaine.

Peter Gerada, of Żebbuġ, pleaded not guilty to first stealing a van from his village on Sunday at about 10.30 a.m.

Within less than 24 hours he managed to collect another seven theft-related charges that ranged from stealing a bag from a woman in Gżira, to robbing a shop in Fgura and breaking into a car in Siġġiewi. Mr Gerada was also charged with slightly injuring a woman in Swieqi and damaging the stolen van.

During the arraignment his lawyers told Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna that their client had never committed a crime before and acted the way he did because of his cocaine addiction.

His behaviour had been triggered by family problems that led him to “binge on coke”. The lawyers said their client needed help and requested that he be granted bail.

The magistrate put off the bail decision to today and, until then, Mr Gerada was in police custody.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino prosecuted.

Lawyers José Herrera and Veronique Dalli represented Mr Gerada.