A 55-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman were yesterday remanded in custody after they were charged with holding up a lotto booth.

Joseph Farrugia, from Balzan, and Rita Agius, from Kalkara, were accused of stealing less than Lm1,000 in cash and mobile phone top-up vouchers from a lotto booth on Saint Joseph High Road, Hamrun on 7 November at 1.15pm to the detriment of Maria Carmela Camenzuli.

They were also charged with holding Ms Camenzuli against her will, slightly injuring and threatening her, as well as being in possession of a firearm while committing a crime and of relapsing.

Mr Farrugia alone was accused of stealing less than Lm1,000 in cash from a lotto booth on Tower Road, Birkirkara on 18 September at 11.15am to the detriment of Victoria Xuereb. He was also charged with holding Ms Xuereb against her will and threatening her as well as being in possession of a firearm while committing a crime.

Magistrate Edwina Grima denied them bail.

Police Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Anthony Agius led the prosecution while lawyer Chris Cardona appeared for the accused.