Judge highlights damage of 'snatch and grab' cases to tourism industry

The damage of snatch and grab cases to the tourism industry was this morning highlighted in court by Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, a former chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority.

Sitting in the Criminal Court of Appeal Mr Justice Galea Debono heard how Victor Buttigieg had been jailed for eight months after he was found guilty of holding two Dutch women and stealing their handbags, handling stolen property and driving without a seatbelt.

In his appeal, the accused argued that the theft was not in excess of €233 so he should benefit from a reduced jail term.

Mr Justice Galea Debono reduced the jail term by two months but said that the Court had to consider the enormous damage such snatch and grab cases did to tourism industry, neutralising the country’s efforts to promote and advertise the country at a considerable expense.

The whole country, he said, was penalised because of the folly of a few.