A homeless man with no money or resources was remanded in custody following his arraignment on Thursday after allegedly being caught stealing at Malta International Airport.

Bulgarian-born Bogdan Bogdanov, a 48-year old who claimed to work as an electrician, sat at the dock, assisted by an interpreter, as duty magistrate Josette Demicoli explained to him the nature of the charges.

“At the moment I don’t live anywhere,” the man replied, when asked for his fixed address.

The man was charged with having allegedly stolen a Cross Call mobile phone last Tuesday evening shortly before midnight, as well as other mobile phone accessories over a three-week span last month.

He was further charged with leading an idle and vagrant life.

Airport police had allegedly zoomed in on the suspect after CCTV footage had shown him sidle up to a table and furtively make off with a mobile phone a tourist had left momentarily unattended while he went to the bathroom.

Other phone accessories, reportedly stolen last month, were subsequently found in the possession of the suspect.

The man pleaded not guilty but was remanded in custody. No request for bail was made even in view of the homeless state of the man.

The case will now be assigned to another magistrate according to court procedure.

Inspector Silvio Magro prosecuted. Lawyer Leontine Calleja was legal aid counsel.