Two men from Sliema were granted bail yesterday after they both admitted stealing alcohol from three different shops last year.

Oreste Zammit, 42, and 24-year-old Christopher Schembri pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of alcohol on 28 July 2006 between 5.28pm and 5.50pm from a shop in Sliema, to the detriment of Mario Scerri.

Before magistrate Giovanni Grixti, they also admitted stealing five bottles of alcohol from a shop in Swieqi on 30 July 2006, to the detriment of Mr Scerri.

Furthermore, they also admitted to stealing over Lm100 worth of alcohol from a shop in St Julian’s on 31 July 2006 at around 10pm, to the detriment of Mr Scerri.

Prosecuting inspector Carmel Abdilla said that all the stolen items had been returned and that both men had cooperated with the police.

Schembri’s defence lawyer Stephan Zrinzo Azzopardi told the court that Schembri had a problem with substance abuse but had made the effort to start a rehabilitation programme on his own initiative.

Magistrate Grixti granted both Schembri and Zammit bail, pending judgement, against a personal guarantee of Lm500 each.

The sitting was postponed until Thursday, when the prosecution is expected to file the criminal records of the accused.

Police inspector Carlo Ellul and police inspector Carmel Abdilla prosecuted.

Dr Stephan Zrinzo Azzopardi appeared for Schembri and Dr Michael Schiriha and Dr Ian Farrugia appeared for Zammit.