Two teenage boys who in recent weeks targeted elderly persons and forcefully stole their wallets and handbags have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them, but ended up in jail after not requesting bail

The defendants whose names cannot be published by court order, are a Belarus-born 17-year-old from Birkirkara and a 16-year-old from Ta' Xbiex.

Sources told Times of Malta that the teenagers were arrested after being identified from security camera footage near one of the crime scenes.

The two were arraigned this morning before Magistrate Francesco Depasquale. Despite their not guilty plea, they apologized for their actions. The magistrate gave them a stern warning about the possible consequences of their behaviour.

"Today you will go to jail and, maybe you will realize what you are in for if you don't change your lives. I am not treating you like criminals and hopefully you will cooperate to reform yourself. Do not hurt your parents any further with your behaviour," the magistrate told them in front of their sobbing mothers.

Both teenagers were accused of stealing the purses of two elderly women.

The 17-year-old alone was charged with two other thefts involving two women aged 65 and 79 years and attempted theft from a third person.

The 16-year-old was also accused of inflicting slight injuries to a 72-year-old man who resisted the attempt to steal his wallet.

The court asked the Director of Prisons to keep the two youths at the Young Persons Offenders Unit.

Lawyers Marion Camilleri and Mark Zammit Cutajar appeared for the defendants whereas police inspectors Fabian Fleri and Anthony Mercieca prosecuted.