A thief was arrested after ramming a police car - and he won't be allowed bail

Two men have been released from custody after denying charges linked to a string of thefts across Malta.

Here's another version of the text: Stolen items included vehicle plates and cigarettes parked at a vending machine.

The two men, Clive Mallia from Għaxaq and Massimo Fasanelli from Marsaskala, were arraigned this afternoon before Magistrate Lara Lanfranco by police inspectors Christina Delia and Roderick Agius.They were accused of violating local law by insulting a woman in public.Before a judge, both Mallia and Fasanelli admitted their guilt.They explained that they saw a woman and a man arguing in a public place in Marsaskala and approached them to argue.However, during the process of reasoning, the dispute gradually escalated and the woman was eventually insulted.Faced with the accusations made by the two men, the judge stated that their behavior would be investigated and a trial would be held at an appropriate time.At the same time, the judge also reminded the two men that their actions not only violated local laws, but also caused harm to the physical and mental health of the victims. He hoped that they could realize their mistakes and make corresponding corrections.Taking into account the two men's guilty pleas before the judge, the judge ultimately decided not to criminally prosecute them but instead gave them a verbal warning.At the same time, they also deeply realized their mistakes and said they would work hard to correct their behavior and not repeat the same mistakes.

The men have been charged with multiple thefts in the past.Most recently in March, they were arrested and accused of stealing a Playmobil statue worth €3 from a warehouse.

Inspector Delia told the court that police launched a series of theft investigations between June and November.Police traced the car used by the accused after they successfully robbed a shop in Msida.

The men's pursuit was interrupted when their vehicle crashed into a police car.Maria was arrested at the scene, while Fasanelli was tracked down and arrested yesterday.

The defendant pleads not guilty.

At this stage, lawyers Franco Debono, who appeared for Mallia, and Herman Mula, who defended Fasanelli, did not ask for bail.