Two Romanians were arraigned in court today in separate cases.

A 66-year-old woman was accused of stealing a pair of spectacles from Optika. A cloth bag lined with tinfoil was also exhibited. A search in Tija Budescu's apartment resulted in the discovery of stolen costume jewellery as well as mobile phones and electronics.

She pleaded not guilty and bail was denied by the court after the prosecution argued that the accused was only just released from jail.

The other case saw a Romanian man handed a suspended sentence after his sixth day in Malta, following a guilty plea to handling stolen goods.

The court heard how the man, Marian Casu, was challenged by staff who suspected him of shoplifting. Casu ran and dropped a tinfoil-lined fabric shopping bag he was carrying. A stolen mobile phone was found on the accused when he was finally caught by the police.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale handed him a six-month prison sentence suspended for four years. He also gave him a stern warning, stating if he continues down this road then he would become a regular court client and could end up in prison.