No bail for 'postmen' accused of robbing old lady at home

Two members of a gang of three who allegedly tied up and robbed an elderly woman at her Qormi home have been remanded in custody.

Mark Anthony Cardona, 41, of Birkirkarka and Ryan Briffa, 28 from Qormi were arraigned before magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras this afternoon, accused of theft aggravated by violence, illegal arrest, slightly injuring the woman and carrying a knife during the commission of a crime.

They were also accused of being recidivists while Briffa alone was also charged with breaching bail conditions.

Inspector Fabian Fleri explained how on 11 January an elderly person in Qormi had answered a knock on the door from someone claiming to be a postman with a package. But as soon as she answered the door, the woman was tied up and robbed with even her CCTV decoder being taken.

Mark Anthony Cardona was identified from other CCTV, said the inspector. The others were subsequently identified by the police. A cap belonging to one of the accused was found in the premises and was being tested for DNA.

The two men pleaded not guilty to the charges. A third accused was taken ill before the sitting and was not arraigned.

Bail was not requested. Lawyer Franco Debono, defence counsel together with lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Noel Bartolo, asked that the witnesses be summoned to testify as soon as possible.

The alleged victim had already given her testimony to the inquiry, he said.