Somali man convicted of stealing tourist’s handbag

Abdirisaq Dahir Diheye, a 23-year old Somali man currently residing at the Marsa Open Centre, was this afternoon sentenced to one year imprisonment suspended for two years after he admitted to stealing a handbag in Paceville .

The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning, when the accused committed the snatch-and-grab theft from a Swiss woman.

The handbag contained the victim’s iPhone and Swiss Francs, together with her travel documents and passport.

Inspector Elton Taliana told the court that the Police, in responding to what was thought to be an unconnected report of vandalism in the area, arrested the accused who was also found to be in possession of the mobile phone and money.

The accused, represented by legal aid lawyer Marc Anthony Mifsud Cutajar and was assisted by an interpreter, admitted to the theft. He claimed that he was not aware of the whereabouts of the documents.

After giving the accused a period to reflect on his guilty plea, the court asked the accused whether he had sufficient time to consider his plea, whether he understood the charges and the penalties involved and whether he wished to reaffirm his guilty plea. The accused answered in the affirmative to the questions.

The victim of the snatch-and-grab, who was due to end her holiday in Malta today, was assisted by the Swiss consulate who made arrangements for her travel documentation.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Giovanni Grixti sentenced the man to one year imprisonment suspended for two years.