One of the Hamrun men who had been charged with stealing a handbag off an elderly British tourist earlier this month, was granted bail yesterday.

Anthony Cutajar, 37, had been remanded in custody when he was arraigned on 9 December, but he was yesterday granted bail against a deposit of Lm500 and a personal guarantee of Lm2,000.

He had 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.

Mr Cutajar had been charged together with Allister Camilleri, 27, who lives in the same Hamrun residence.

Mr 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 had also refused Mr Camilleri’s request for bail when the two men were arraigned. Yesterday, Magistrate Edwina Grima also refused Mr Camilleri’s request for bail.

Police Inspector Anthony Portelli prosecuted while Patrick Valentino was appointed legal aid for Mr Camilleri and Dr Matthew Brincat represented Mr Cutajar.