A man yesterday pleaded not guilty to a string of thefts which allegedly took place between 13 December 2005 and 5 April 2006.

Steve Buttigieg, 26, from Birzebbuga, was arraigned to answer to a long list of charges.

Mr Buttigieg was charged with stealing various items from Gilda in San Gwann on 14 December and damaging the shop. He was also charged with stealing a car from Santa Venera on 13 December to the detriment of Pierre Vella, stealing cash and electronic equipment from Crown Paints in Sliema on 26 January 2006 and damaging the shop.

He was further charged with the theft of a plasma screen from Eurochange Bureau in Sliema on the same day and damaging the shop and with, later on that day, stealing a car from Sliema. He was also charged with stealing several electronic items from Crosscraft Ltd in Qormi and Telestar Ltd in Mosta and with damaging both shops.

Mr Buttigieg was also accused of stealing a car from Qormi on 12 February, of stealing various items from Bonarco Co. Ltd in Zebbug on 4 April, damaging the shop, stealing another two cars from Qormi and receiving stolen goods.

He was also charged with driving cars with false number plates and without an insurance cover. Police inspector Carmelo Bartolo prosecuted while Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Mario Demarco appeared for the defendant.