Two youths were yesterday remanded in custody after they pleaded not guilty to possessing a 9mm calibre pistol.

A 16-year-old from Lija and a 19-year-old from Birkirkara were also charged with robbing a woman of her handbag in which she had a mobile phone and cash on Sunday at 10am in Birkirkara

The two were also charged before magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera with committing similar robberies in Balzan between April and May.

Police Inspectors Michael Mallia and Sandra Zammit prosecuted.