Two men were denied bail on Monday after pleading not guilty to a number of minor thefts.

Paul Gauci Borda, 23, and Omar Bekbak, 30, both from Gzira were accused of having stolen tools from a parked vehicle on Sunday.  

Gauci Borda was also accused of stealing deodorants, two charity donation boxes and a number of bottles of alcohol from several shops. Bekbak was charged with breaching bail and a probation order.

Lawyer Martin Fenech entered not guilty pleas for the accused, arguing that the crimes were not serious. Prosecuting inspector Jonathan Ransley retorted that the fact that they are stealing stupid things meant that their problem was very serious indeed.

Magistrate Rachel Montebello heard how the men, who appeared drowsy and rested their heads on the desk in front of them, were heavy drug users.

Family members wept as a request for bail was denied, after the court took a look at the accused’s criminal records and said it was “entirely unconvinced” that they  could be trusted to observe their bail conditions.

The court, however, recommended that the Director of Prisons to make necessary arrangements to give the accused the medical assistance they needed.

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