Updated 2.15pm, adds arraignment

A man and a woman who allegedly robbed a man at knifepoint almost one month ago were remanded in custody upon their arraignment on Thursday. 

Costantino Felice, 34, from Qormi and Valletta resident Dalaia Zammit, 25, were escorted to court after being tailed by the police and arrested in their BMW at Pietà on Wednesday.

The armed robbery took place on November 15, while their 50-year-old victim sat inside his car in Giorgio Mitrovitch Street, Gżira, in the early hours of the morning. 

The victim, who is from Ħamrun, had allegedly been robbed of his necklace, mobile phone and other valuables by a couple, after being threatened with a penknife. 

Investigators had tracked down the BMW, which was allegedly the same getaway car used by the aggressors at the time of the hold-up. 

The two were charged with the aggravated theft, holding their victim against his will, slightly injuring him and relapsing. 

The man was separately charged with possessing a knife without the necessary police licence, while Zammit was separately charged with loitering with intent. 

Both pleaded not guilty.

A request for bail was objected to by the prosecution in view of the gravity of the charges and also in view of the duo’s criminal records. Moreover, neither of them had a fixed address, the prosecution argued. 

Defence lawyer Ishmael Psaila countered that the alleged offence had taken place last month and besides, the accused had cooperated with the police.

However, after hearing submissions by both parties the court, presided over by magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, turned down the request. 

Inspectors Lydon Zammit, Stephen Gulia and Colin Sheldon prosecuted.