A magistrates’ Court yesterday heard how a woman who owns a hair salon in Tarxien told three thieves who entered her shop to commit a robbery that they would be better off finding a job.

Police inspector Joseph Mercieca was testifying before magistrate Antonio Mizzi who is presiding over the compilation of evidence against Lawrence Mangion, 19, Glenn Spiteri, 19, and a 17-year-old, who are charged with a robbery from Style Spy Hair Salon, in Tarxien on 16 November at about 6.30pm.

Inspector Mercieca explained that on 16 November a certain Wendy Camilleri informed the police that there had been a hold-up at her salon in Tarxien. She told police that she was at the shop with her mother and two clients when all of a sudden, two men stormed into her salon and asked her for money.

She told police that she told them they would be better off finding a job but they started swearing at her and demanded the money. She said they managed to run off with between Lm60 and Lm70.

She told police that she chased them out of the salon and after running a few hundred metres, she saw them getting into a car and sped off. She took note of the car’s registration plate and passed the information on to the police.

Inspector Mercieca explained that the police started their investigations and traced the car’s owner – Mr Spiteri – who, when spoken to by the police, immediately admitted his involvement in the robbery. Inspector Mercieca said he also managed to trace Mr Mangion and the 17-year-old boy and they both admitted their involvement in the robbery.

Duncan Caruana, who said he was Mr Spiteri’s friend, also testified in court yesterday. He explained that on the day of the robbery, he was with Mr Spiteri in his car when Mr Spiteri received a call on his mobile phone. Mr Caruana said Mr Spiteri drove towards Carter’s Supermarket in Paola where Mr Caruana saw another two of his friends running towards them with a woman chasing them.

Mr Caruana said these two friends got into Mr Spiteri’s car and they sped off. He said that when he looked at the back of the car, he noticed they had two balaclavas and immediately suspected what had happened. He immediately told Mr Spiteri to drop him off at home since he did not want to get involved.

At the end of yesterday’s sitting, magistrate Mizzi ruled that there were enough reasons for a bill of indictment to be issued against the three teenagers.

Police inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted. Dr Kris Busietta and Dr Jason Azzopardi are appearing for Mr Spiteri and Mr Mangion. Dr Michael Sciriha is appearing for Mr Mangion while Dr Richard Sladden is appearing for the 17-year-old, whose name cannot be published since he is still a minor.