A man and a woman were yesterday remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to various charges of theft committed over the past months.

Emma Grech, 19, from Pietà, and Generoso Barbara, 28, Zejtun, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them before Magistrate Miriam Hayman.

Emma Grech alone was charged with stealing a bag from Delimara on 29 June. The bag contained a mobile phone, cash, credits cards, a driver’s licence, among other objects, to the detriment of Adrian Vella. She was also charged with stealing a hand bag earlier that day to the detriment of Marianne Micallef.

Ms Grech was further charged with stealing various items belonging to swimmers from Birzebbuga on 11 July as well as the theft of yet another bag from the same bay in the afternoon on 15 August, to the detriment of Rosanna Bugeja.

Furthermore, she was charged with stealing a bag containing a mobile phone and several other objects as well as the theft of another three bags from the usual bay in Birzebbuga on 16 July and before.

Mr Barbara alone was charged with stealing several items from a store in Marsaxlokk between March and April this year, to the detriment of Emanuel Grech. He was also charged with relapsing.

The man and the woman were both charged with handling stolen property.

Before Magistrate Hayman, the two pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. They were refused bail and were remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia prosecuted while Dr Franco Debono and Dr Marion Camilleri appeared for the accused.