Two men were yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges related to a spate of thefts from motor vehicles.

Charles Cutajar, 45, and Leandross Cutajar, 23, both from Cospicua, pleaded not guilty to stealing from five cars around Malta over the past months as well as handling stolen property.

The prosecution objected against an application for bail lodged by both accused, citing that both had criminal records, especially the older accused who, he said, had a criminal record the length of a novel, with 13 convictions for theft, nine for drug related offences and four related to fights. The court, presided over by magistrate Antonio Mizzi denied the plea. Dr Richard Sladden was legal aid appointed by the courts.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, three men were each fined EUR1,200 for illegally employing people.

Edward Cachia, 43, from San Gwann, Alfredo Spiteri DeBarro, 29, from Swieqi and Angelo Paoli, 50, from St Julian’s all pleaded guilty to charges of employing people illegally.