Handbag thief who punched woman in the face gets jail

A man from Cospicua has been sentenced to four years in prison for his part in a violent handbag theft that was foiled by passers-by.

Dominic Agius, 23, appeared before magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras this morning, accused of aggravated theft and relapsing.

Police inspectors Kurt Zahra and Roderick Spiteri explained how on 17 September at around 10pm, the police were informed that a number of citizens had arrested a bag-snatcher in Birkirkara's Valley Road. Police who rushed to the scene had found a Romanian girl who claimed to have been assaulted and robbed and Agius who was being prevented from escaping by other civilians.

Inspector Zahra told the court that the woman had been pinned to the ground and punched in the face before her bag was stolen. However, despite being knocked flat by the punch to her face, the Romanian had gamely chased the robber down the street, her screams alerting passers-by who intervened and detained Agius until the police arrived.

Agius, who is unemployed, was charged with grievously injuring the Romanian and with theft, aggravated by violence, time and value. He was also charged with relapsing.

The accused, who aside from having several face and neck tattoos, appeared in court this morning wearing a T-shirt printed with the slogan: “You are so sexy when I'm drunk,” pleaded guilty to the charges.

The magistrate asked Agius to confirm his guilty plea, making no bones about the fact that he would go to prison if he did so. “I have already admitted,” the accused replied.

The court handed down a four-year prison sentence. 

Lawyer Patrick Valentino was defence counsel.