A Frenchman has been accused of stealing two laptops from his flatmates when attempting to leave the island, worth a total of €1600.

The flat comprised of a group of French friends who came to Malta on holiday.

The accused, Maxime Tarraso, was caught by police with the two laptops, however argued that they were loaned to him and that he did not steal them.

One of the French women who was sharing the apartment, testified in court and said that originally there were three women and two men sharing the flat who came as a group. One of the women and the other man had left the island early. She explained that early on, the accused fell out with the three women over a packet of cigarettes, which he alleged they stole. She said that hey began speaking with him again after it was found in the lower level of the apartment.

She said that they had taken their room key with them to the beach, however had previously discovered that it not only unlocked their room, but also the room belonging to the accused.

In addition, it was revealed that the same female flatmate and the accused had an intimate relationship, however he broke-off the relationship some weeks ago.

The two female flatmates both said that they had exited the building at around 1pm yesterday, and went to the beach. One of them fell ill, and both returned at around 4 pm. They were sharing a room, with the accused's room being elsewhere in the apartment. They claimed they had locked their room before leaving, however found it unlocked upon return. They did not find their laptops in their room. Following this, they noticed that the accused's bag was missing. The two then rushed to the airport police station, the court heard, with one of the women stating that she thought he might have gone to the airport to catch a flight back to France, however she was not sure if he was to travel on that day or the following. They said they had arrived at the airport at around 4.45 pm.

The Court heard that the police could not track him down as having entered the building and sent them to the Sliema station. Upon arrival there, she told the police that the accused's father worked with Air France. The police tracked him down and he was arrested.

The defence fired a number of questions as to the nature of their relationship with the accused, one of whom admitted that they had an intimate relationship, however that he broke it off. She was asked whether she wanted to take revenge on the accused, by perhaps lending him the laptop and then reporting him to the police. She replied that she did not have any reason to take revenge, and that she is not the type of person who would do something of that nature.

The defence fired several questions implying that the two female flatmates had given the accused the laptops and that he would return them at a later date.

The case will continue tomorrow.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit presided. Police Inspector Neville Mercieca prosecuted while lawyer Leontine Calleja was defence counsel.