A court yesterday heard how a man sitting at a table at a bar in Sliema had his mobile stolen by a Tunisian who grabbed it and ran off.

The man was testifying before Magistrate Giovanni Grixti during the arraignment of Tunisian national Ridha ben Mohamed Ayari who is pleading not guilty to stealing the mobile phone worth more than Lm100 and possessing stolen goods.

Captain Rodney David Owen, a British national residing in Malta, explained that he was sitting at a table outside the Black Gold Bar in Sliema on Saturday when a man, who he recognised as the accused, grabbed his mobile which was on the table and ran off with it.

Mr Ayari, who pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm500.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit prosecuted while Dr Beppe Fenech Adami appeared for the accused.