Updated 11.33am

A man who was caught red-handed stealing from a car in Floriana pleaded not guilty to charges when he was arraigned in court on Wednesday.

The accused Wadea Al Maghrbi, who is 31 and from Libya with no fixed residence, was caught in the act by the car's owner, a 28-year-old woman from Kalkara.

When she confronted him, he attacked her and then escaped, a court heard. She was slightly injured in the struggle. 

The incident happened in Triq Emvin Cremona at 3.30pm on Tuesday.

With the woman's help and through CCTV footage in the area, the police traced him to Triq it-Tiġrija, Marsa, at around 5pm, where he was arrested. 

A court heard that he had just been released from prison a few days prior to this theft. 

Wearing a blue tracksuit and assisted by an Arab-speaking interpreter, Al Maghrbi was charged with violent theft, holding a victim against her will, causing slight injuries and being recidivist.

He pleaded not guilty and requested bail. 

The court heard that third party witnesses have yet to testify and upheld a request for a Protection Order in favour of victim, who cannot be named by court order.

Inspectors Lydon Zammit, Stephen Gulia and Gabriel Micallef led the prosecution.

The suspect was assisted by legal aid lawyer Mario Caruana. 

Lawyers Shazoo Ghaznavi and Charlon Gouder appeared on the victim's behalf.