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8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS Sicilian men accused of snatch and grab TWO Sicilian men have been remanded in custo- dy after being charged with carrying out a snatch and grab theft whilst riding a motorcycle. Shopkeeper Daniele Landolfi, 30 and welder Francesco Tanzi, 37, both from Naples, appeared in the dock before magistrate Neville Camilleri this morning, accused of criminal conspiracy, stealing a wristwatch, driving a motorcycle without insur- ance and relapsing. The men had arrived in Malta a few days ago and had their return trip booked for yesterday, sources said. Inspectors Fabian Fleri, Lydon Zammit and Jon- athan Ransley arraigned the men. The theft took place in Dingli Street, Sliema, on 23 February, when the men, who were riding a mo- torcycle, allegedly snatched a Rolex wristwatch off the wrist of a pedestrian and drove off. The men are thought to be part of a criminal gang who had chosen their victim as he dined at a restaurant. He was followed out onto the street, where the theft took place on 23 February at around midday. This type of theft is common in Sicily, but is a new phenomenon in Malta, police said. Lawyers Noel Bartolo, legal aid to Tanzi and Roberto Montalto, appearing for Landolfi, entered pleas of not guilty. Bail was not requested at this stage. MAT THE W AGIUS A woman from St. Paul's Bay has been jailed for four months and has lost a €5,000 bail bond, after she was found guilty of breaching a court-imposed curfew, part of her bail condi- tions in other proceedings in which she is accused of attack- ing a police officer. Saida Agius Idy, 42, was on bail for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Paceville last January. Her bail conditions stipulated that she was to be indoors by 9:00 pm, but po- lice said they had found her in Paceville at 9:40pm. Agius Idy, who had not spo- ken to a lawyer, conducted her own defence this morning – a decision she was made to con- firm three times before the magistrate allowed her to do so. Presiding magistrate Nev- ille Camilleri explained to the woman that she faced between four months and two years in prison and the confiscation of her deposit if found guilty, but she insisted on defending her- self. Prosecuting police inspector Joseph Xerri summoned In- spector Leeroy Balzan Engerer to testify. Balzan Engerer said that a police patrol in Paceville had spotted Agius Idy outside the Nordic Bar. The woman had gone up to the police of- ficers to tell them "look how slim I've become," he said. She was recognised by one officer who contacted his superiors to check on the woman's bail conditions. She was found to be out past her curfew and im- mediately arrested, he said. The woman pleaded not guilty to the charge. A police officer testified that at 9:40 pm he had seen the accused who had previously been charged for attacking the police on St. Rita's Steps in Paceville. He confirmed that she was out beyond her cur- few, before informing her that she was under arrest. "She said 'you can arrest me whenev- er and wherever you like,'" he added. The woman attempted to cross-examine the witness, al- leging that she had been man- handled but her question was overruled, as cross-examina- tion can only be about issues raised in witness' testimony. From the witness stand In- spector Leeroy Balzan Engerer confirmed that the woman's previous case was still pending before magistrate Ian Farrugia. The court explained to the accused that she had a right not to testify, but she chose to do so nonetheless. The woman from Morocco told the court, that she had been at Baystreet at around 7:30pm to meet her lawyer, whose surname she could not recall. "I waited for her till around 8:15 pm. I knew I should have been at home at 9 pm. I always stuck to the curfew. It hap- pened at 8:35 pm, I was about to get a taxi to go home when the policeman came up to me. He told me 'look we caught you outside' and grabbed me by my arm. If he hadn't grabbed me, I would have made it home be- fore the curfew." Notwithstanding this, the court found her guilty of breaching her bail conditions, sentencing her to 4 months in prison and confiscating her bail deposit of €1000 and her €4000 bail bond. The court informed the woman that she had a right to appeal the sentence and told her that it was in her interest to speak to a lawyer. Police attacker jailed for breaching bail DAVI D H U DSON THE government has announced plans to install water fountains in every State school as part of a wider plan to limit school-bag weight in Primary and Secondary schools. Education permanent secretary Frank Fabri explained that eight water fountains in different schools will be installed in the coming weeks and that by 2021, most infra- structure would be in place to in- troduce them in all schools. "In every child's school bag, you are likely to find water bottles that will add to a school-bag's weight. In some cases, children bring two litre bottles to school. The water foun- tains will prevent this from hap- pening and, at least, children can just start bringing an empty bottle," Fabri said. At a press conference at the ed- ucation ministry, the government announced that it would publish guidelines to help schoolchildren, educators and parents better pack the students' bags. Ray Camilleri, college principal at the State education directorate, said that the plans would be published for consultation, and feedback through the website would help the government issue the guidelines at a final stage. "We are also encouraging the use of e-books instead of physical books, which the children could ac- cess on their tablets. Some shelving and lockers are already available at some State schools but we intend to introduce lockers in every school," Camilleri said. He added that a 2016 report pub- lished by the Physiotherapists As- sociation had found that 30% of stu- dents exhibited back pain. 55% of students blamed their school-bag. In a separate study in 2017, most bags were found to be exceeding 5kg in weight, higher than 10% of the carriers' body weight. This can cause chronic low-intensity back pain and back problems at a later stage in life. "When it comes to State schools, heads of school have responsibil- ities but it's impossible for this to work if either one of stakeholders does not fulfil his or her role. Par- ents must follow the guidelines to help children pack their bags too and educators must provide a clear timetable so that children don't pack what they don't need," Camill- eri said. Education Minister Owen Bonnici said that the issue of heavy bags had been a perennial one that has been a point of discussion for many years. "Every parent at some point re- marked that their children's bags are too heavy. These guidelines aim to make a difference in the quality of life of children. After we receive feedback from all parties, we will publish the full guidelines," he said. Water fountains to be installed in every State school as part of heavy bag respite