A British tourist told a magistrate yesterday she saw two men pushing a vending machine down a flight of steps beneath her hotel balcony.

Deborah Elliot, a resident at the British Hotel, in Valletta, said that at about 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday she heard a loud crashing noise and then spotted two men pushing a cigarette vending machine down the steps in Battery Street.

The two men left momentarily, only to return a few minutes later and proceeded to move the machine from the steps onto the road, subsequently disappearing under Victoria Gate, she said.

Ms Elliot was testifying on the arraignment of three men - Curtis Bakoush, 20, Annise Bejaoui, 20, and Malcolm Mercieca, 24 - who stand charged with breaking into Deux Barronnes café, in Battery Street, and stealing the machine.

Mr Bakoush is also charged with stealing diving equipment from a car last year and relapsing.

All men are pleading not guilty.

Police Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Pierre Micallef Grimaud said the accused had all been convicted at one stage or another on theft-related charges, which makes them unreliable. Thus, they recommended that bail be denied.

Lawyers Daniela Mangion and Gabrielle Buttigieg held that, since the main witness had been heard, there was no fear of tampering with evidence and, so, their client, Mr Bejaoui, should be granted bail.

Legal Procurator Noel Bianco also requested bail on behalf of the other two men, also making his colleague's legal points. Magistrate Audrey Demicoli remanded the men in custody, deeming them not trustworthy enough to be granted bail.