A 36 year-old Libyan man residing in Msida was arraigned before magistrate Joe Mifsud this morning, accused of aggravated theft, illegal arrest, slight injury, carrying a knife in public without a licence, recidivism and failing to observe two sets of bail conditions

Jassem Al Tahr, who is unemployed, pleaded not guilty.

Inspectors Fabian Fleri, Lydon Zammit and Kylie Borg explained to the court how two days ago an elderly woman had been robbed at her home in Valletta by a gang of 3 persons. The woman was slightly injured in the robbery. CCTV from nearby showed people running, while carrying a laptop and loot. All three of the robbers were Identified, said the police. Al Tahr was arrested later and the others are still on the run.

Lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace asked for bail. The accused has no contact with the victim, he said. “We can’t just arrest and hope for the best,” said the lawyer.

The prosecution objected to bail, assuring the court that “the evidence was there.”

The Court said it needed to protect society. “When I hear charges of robbing an elderly lady and injuring her, without entering into the merits, this woman must testify, the accomplices must be found.”

The magistrate said he was denying the accused bail in order to protect society and the accused himself: “you will not have the temptation to do evil.”

Bail was denied.