Two men were yesterday remanded in custody on charges of stealing a handbag off an elderly British tourist.

Allister Camilleri, 27 and Anthony Cutajar, 37, both from Hamrun pleaded not guilty to stealing a handbag from an elderly British tourist in Marsascala on Friday 7 December, making off with between Lm100 and Lm1,000 in cash and personal belongings.

Camilleri alone was accused of slightly injuring the woman by knocking her to the ground, being found in possession of tools normally associated with burglary and relapsing in view of previous convictions.

The court, presided over by magistrate Jacqueline Padovani refused a request for bail. Police inspector Anthony Portelli prosecuted while Patrick Valentino was appointed legal aid for Mr Camilleri while lawyer Matthew Brincat represented Mr Cutajar.