Bail refused for man accused of stealing wallet in St Julian’s
The alleged victim was waiting for a bus on St George's Road
A 30-year-old man has been denied bail after pleading not guilty to stealing a wallet from a man waiting at a bus stop in Paceville.
Police inspector Dylan Pace told a court how the alleged victim called St Julian’s police station at 1.30am on Sunday to report that his wallet, containing €70, had been stolen while he was waiting for a bus on St George’s Road.
When the officers went on-site, they found the suspect and alleged victim arguing. The alleged victim told police that while waiting for the bus, the accused stood close to him twice.
The man initially suspected that the accused had tried to steal his mobile phone, but then realised his wallet had gone missing.
He followed the suspect and saw him entering Spinola garden, where the suspect met an “obese” person and handed something over to him.
The alleged victim caught up with the suspect and demanded he return his wallet, telling him he could keep the €70.
Police arrived, searched the suspect, and found the suspect’s wallet and mobile phone.
In court on Monday, Mohamed Ibrahim Haruun, a 30-year-old Somali national living at the Ħal Far Open Centre, pleaded not guilty to theft and being drunk in public.
Bail was requested by legal aid lawyer Sarah Vassallo Ciliberti. The prosecution objected, saying the alleged victim lives close to Paceville and takes the bus almost every day where the theft allegedly occurred. Haruun said he had moved to St Julian’s some three days ago.
The man reportedly collects empty bottles and would walk to Sliema, with the prosecution highlighting that he could easily encounter the alleged victim.
Vassallo Ciliberti countered that the man has a fixed address at the open centre.
The court denied the man bail.
Magistrate Charmaine Galea presided.
Police inspector Dylan Pace prosecuted while the accused was represented by legal aid lawyer Sarah Cassallo Ciliberti.