Teenager accused of injuring elderly woman

A 17-year-old boy was yesterday charged with involvement in an incident in which an elderly woman was seriously injured during an attempted burglary at her Qormi home last month.

The boy was remanded in custody after Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani heard how the women - 81-year-old Dolores Debono - had sustained injuries to her face and a sprained toe after she was dragged along.

The boy pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Ms Debono, holding her against her will and trying to steal from her house together with other people on June 27 at about 3.15 p.m.

Magistrate Padovani heard the boy's lawyers ask for bail which request was opposed by the prosecution.

Police Inspector Carmelo Bartolo, who prosecuted together with Inspector Daniel Zammit, argued that the boy, although young, had a tainted criminal record and had now committed a very serious offence.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared for the boy.