A gang of six young men was accused in court yesterday of several counts of theft of motorbikes, damaging the bikes, stealing registration plates, falsifying official documents and driving the motorbikes without a licence, among other offences.

The accused are John Camilleri, 25, from Mtarfa, Lee Cortis, 20, from Mosta, Alexander Bonnici, 20, from Mtarfa, Herbert Zammit Cordina, 20, from Dingli and another two who were 15 and 17 years old when the alleged crime was committed in August 2005 and therefore cannot be named, by court order.

All six young men pleaded not guilty to being involved in stealing and damaging the bikes, as well as to other changes of tampering with the bikes by changing the registration plates or altering the chassis numbers.

The court, presided over by magistrate Lawrence Quintano, heard how the bikes were being used for scrambling.

Police Inspectors Stephen Mallia and Christopher Pullicino prosecuted while Dr Robert Abela, Dr Ian Farrugia and Dr David Farrugia Sacco represented the accused.