Woman, 25, stabbed by robber in St Julian's mugging

A 25-year-old woman from Marsaxlokk was seriously injured after she was stabbed by a robber during a mugging in St Julian's early this morning.

The robbery took place in Sqaq Lourdes at about 4am when the as-yet unidentified assailant approached the victim and her friend, a 33-year-old woman from Poland, and tried to steal their handbags. At one point, the thief took out a knife and stabbed the Maltese woman before making off with her handbag.

The victims were given initial medical assistance by passers-by and a team of paramedics who arrived shortly after the stabbing. The woman was then taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance, where she was later certified to be suffering from serious injuries.

Her condition is not life threatening, police said.

Photos of the scene of the crime showed a blood-stained pavement, while a nearby car was also covered in blood.

Duty Magistrate Neville Camilleri is leading an inquiry, while police investigations are ongoing.

Police are appealing to the public for any information. Any information may be passed to the police in a confidential manner by phone on 119 or 2122 4001.