Pair charged with armed violent robbery in Gżira

A 30-year-old man from Gżira and a 37-year-old woman from Fgura were arraigned in court after an armed robbery and knife attack on a man in the early hours of 11 February.

Frank Schembri and Milena Debono were jointly charged with aggravated theft, making threats and insults, and causing the victim to fear that violence would be used against him.

Debono alone was additionally charged with grievous bodily harm, carrying a weapon without a licence, and breaching previously imposed bail conditions.

Both accused pleaded not guilty.

The court heard that at around 3am on 11 February, police were informed of an armed robbery in Gżira in which the victim had sustained injuries. Upon arriving at the scene, officers were told by the injured man that a man and a woman had stolen his mobile phone and his passport. The victim also stated that, prior to the stabbing, the woman had made unwanted sexual advances towards him.

The victim was taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where medical examinations certified that he had suffered grievous injuries to his back, shoulder, neck, and the palm of his hand.

Investigators later obtained video footage of the incident captured by passers-by, while nearby CCTV cameras further corroborated the events and assisted police in identifying the alleged aggressors. 

During the sitting, lawyer Yanica Barbara Sant, appearing for Debono, informed the court that her client was due to attend the signing of a promise of sale the following Tuesday. She requested temporary authorisation for her client to do so, which the court granted.

A protection order was issued in favour of the victim.

Bail was not requested and both of the accused were remanded in custody.

The prosecution was led by Inspectors Keith Rizzo, Lydon Zammit, and Ian Azzopardi, together with Attorney General lawyer Kristina Bartolo.

Schembri was represented by defence lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri, while Debono was represented by Yanica Barbara Sant. The case was presided over by Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici.