Mugger who stole engagement ring from former minister apologises

An apology by the man who mugged him on the way to Church in Zejtun a few weeks ago, may not be enough for 79 year-old former Labour minister Wistin Abela, who insists he still wants his engagement ring back.

Indian national Pillai Sivasankara, who lives in Msida, remains detained at Corradino Prisons under preventative arrest  after he was charged some weeks ago of stealing the former minister's engagement ring from his hand. The ring is worth €2,329.

Sivasankara appeared in Court today, finding a frail Wistin Abela in his wheelchair who was preparing to testify about the day he was mugged in Our Lady of Sorrow's Street, in Zejtun.

The accused held out his hand to Abela, who acknowledged the gesture.

But when addressing the court,  lawyer Owen Bonnici, who is appearing for  Abela, said his client was ready to forgive, but he still wanted his engagement ring back.

The prosecution said that police officers had searched for the ring but didn't find it, prompting Bonnici to ask the court for compensation, should the ring remain missing.

Before adjourning the sitting, the Court said that it was allowing one month for the ring to be found and returned to Abela, and a judgment would be handed after.