Two 17-year-old boys pleaded not guilty yesterday to stealing a bag from a woman who was at the market at Merchants Street, Valletta on Tuesday around noon.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, heard how the bag contained e360 (Lm154.55) and other objects, including a bank deposit book.

The boys, whose name cannot be published since they are minors, hail from Birzebbuga and Zejtun

The Zejtun boy pleaded not guilty also to relapsing.

Magistrate Demicoli granted them bail against a personal guarantee of e1,500.

Police Inspector Alfred Mallia prosecuted while Dr Patrick Valentino was legal aid to the accused.