Two troubled teens have been remanded in custody after they were charged with breaking and entering into a Sliema home and stealing some €1,500.

The pair pleaded not guilty and were denied bail on the grounds that they could approach the witness, due to the seriousness of the charges and due to the fact that both had been in trouble with the law previously.

Andre Bugeja, 19, was charged with aggravated theft as well as breaching the terms of a conditional discharge handed down on 9 December 2016 by magistrate Gabriella Vella.

Massimu Fasanelli, 18, was also charged with aggravated theft as well as relapsing on the basis of several judgments handed down prior to this incident.

Prosecuting inspector Mark Anthony Mercieca described how he had recognized the pair from CCTV footage which captured them loitering outside the house they allegedly broke into.

The pair were supposed to start full-time employment as security guards at a shopping mall. Bugeja had attending a short training course and was due to begin shortly, while Fasanelli was about to start training.

A social worker took the stand to say how Fasanelli had entered into his care at around 14-15 years of age through a probation and supervision court order. He is currently waiting for judgment to be passed by a separate court over a breach in probation. She described how Fasanelli has a drug problem, which is why the social worker had referred him to an adolescent’s day programme.

She told presiding magistrate Gabriella Vella how Fasanelli was not keeping in contact with the probation officer and the social worker, and that they found difficulty in trying to maintain contact with him. She said that the most fruitful way she managed to get through to him was when Fasanelli was held in prison.

“After he was released, he had behaved for a brief period of time, but things then deteriorated.”

Fasanelli was tested for drugs, where he was found to be positive for cannabis and cocaine.

“I was surprised when he told me he was selected for employment as he had shown no interest in working”.

Mercieca also remarked that he does not feel it appropriate for the boys to be employed as security guards when taking into consideration their past and the seriousness of the crimes levelled against them.

Legal aid Leontine Calleja, representing both of the accused, argued that they have strong ties to Malta, that they would be living with their respective mothers, and that it would better serve them and society to allow them to work and reform themselves.

Vella ultimately denied bail for both, on the basis of the seriousness of the crimes and the possibility of approaching the witness. With regards Fasanelli, the same reason was given, as well as the court’s view of his lack of trustworthiness.