Sliema bag snatcher jailed for three years

A court has jailed a Sliema man this morning after he admitted to attempting to rob a young girl yesterday. 

33-year-old Kevin Camilleri was arrested after two passers-by chased and pinned him down following his attempt to run off with a woman's handbag on Thursday afternoon.

The incident took place at around 4:30pm in St. Vincent Street in Sliema. Camilleri was detained by a 33-year-old man from Pembroke and a 25-year-old man from Gzira, until the police arrived.

The woman, an 18-year-old Belgian student, needed treatment for shock.

This morning, prosecuting police inspectors Fabian Fleri and Frank Tabone told magistrate Gabriella Vella that during his arrest, the accused - who was known to the police and had a drug problem - had informed the police that he was carrying a knife in his backpack.

Camilleri was charged with attempted theft, possession of a sharp or pointed instrument in public without a licence and with relapsing, on account of his previous convictions.

He pleaded guilty to the charges and was handed a three-year custodial sentence, as well as being ordered to pay for the costs of the case.

Lawyer Benjamin Valenzia was legal aid to the accused.