Strolling couples robbed in two hold-ups

Two couples were robbed at gun point in separate incidents within 12 hours of each other as they walked along the street in Mellieha and Qawra.

One of the victims of the Mellieha robbery required treatment in hospital after sustaining fractures to his leg when his assailants' vehicle struck him as two armed and hooded robbers made their getaway.

The 36-year old man was walking with his partner in Triq Dun Frangisk yesterday morning when the two robbers got out of a car and accosted the Maltese couple. They took documents and cheques before speeding away in their vehicle. Police said that they went to the scene after they were informed that a robbery had just taken place and later found the getaway vehicle in another part of Mellieha.

Magistrate Edwina Grima appointed a team of court experts to assist with the inquiry.

In an incident the previous evening, a British couple were robbed of a small amount of cash when they were held up at gunpoint in Qawra.

Police said the couple were walking in Triq Il-Halel when they were stopped by a hooded man who pointed a firearm at them and demanded money.

The thief snatched the cash from the couple and ran away but on one was injured in that incident.

The police are investigating both cases.