Pensioner charged with armed hold-up of coffee shop
Carmen Camilleri was seen entering a residence three blocks away from the shop
A 63-year-old Ħamrun pensioner pleaded not guilty to an armed hold up from a shop that sells coffee in her hometown.
Carmen Camilleri was accused of theft aggravated by violence, holding a shop assistant against her will, carrying a knife in public without a licence and threatening another individual.
Police inspector Lydon Zammit told court the police were informed of a hold-up in a shop on St Joseph High Street in Ħamrun. The assailant, a woman armed with a knife, had entered the shop and stolen money from the cash register.
A person outside the shop followed the suspect, who was seen entering a residence some three blocks away.
The police arrived and spoke to the shop assistant and the person who followed the suspect.
They then went to the residence where she was seen entering. The woman allegedly initially locked herself inside before she opened the door to the police some five to eight minutes later.
In court, Camilleri denied the charges.
Defence lawyer Matthew Xuereb informed the court that at this stage bail will not be requested, given there were civilian witnesses who had not yet testified. However, he requested the court to solicit the prosecution to summon these witnesses at their earliest.
The woman was remanded in custody.
Magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil presided.
AG lawyer Brandon Bonnici prosecuted, assisted by police inspectors Keith Rizzo, Ian Vella and Lydon Zammit.
Lawyer Matthew Xuereb assisted the accused.