12 years in jail for bag-snatch theft that caused woman's death

A court has jailed for 12 years a drug addict who took part in two bag-snatching thefts, six years ago, including one that led to the death of an elderly woman.

35-year-old Richard Attard received a 12-year prison sentence and a fine of €1,000 for his part in the thefts, which he had carried out together with two other men, to finance their drug addiction.

80-year-old Rosina Garrone was found bleeding and unconscious outside an apartment block at Sliema's Dingli Circus by a passer by on 8 December 2010 at around 7:15pm.

The Criminal Court presided by Madam Justice Edwina Grima was told how one of the gang members had swooped on the 80-year-old to snatch her handbag. Garrone had resisted her assailants and was shoved back, losing her balance and fell over, hitting her head on the pavement. Her aggressor had then fled with the stolen bag and climbed into a waiting Fiat Uno, bearing the registration plate BAD 189. The woman was still clutching the handbag's strap when she was found.

Garrone was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and was found to have suffered severe head injuries as well as fractures to her pelvis and one leg. She succumbed to her injuries six days later.

The court noted that the gang's intention was to rob the victim's house after finding her ID card and keys in the stolen bag, however they were stopped before they could carry out this phase of their plan.

After robbing Garrone, the three miscreants set off in the car to purchase crack in Cottonera. Having obtained the drugs, and whilst still under its influence, they drove back to Sliema to continue their plan.

Approximately an hour after robbing Garrone, the band of thieves struck again. This time their victim was 88-year-old Maria Cassar, whose bag was stolen by a man whose face was covered by his jacked collar as she was about to cross Manwel Dimech Street. The victim's niece, who witnessed the incident, unsuccessfully tried to chase the aggressors, but he had managed to escape.

Cassar suffered injuries to her shoulder as a result of the crime.

On 24 November this year, Attard had admitted guilt of his part in order to avoid a trial by jury.

He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, together with a €1,000 fine which would be converted to further jail time if not paid by the accused, additionally begin ordered to suffer the costs of the case.