Two men and a woman robbed two octogenarians within a couple of hours because they ended up cashless and needed money to buy cocaine, a court heard yesterday.

One of the women the police say they targeted, 80-year-old Rose Garroni, died on Tuesday after succumbing to the injuries she sustained during the mugging.

“They stole money to buy drugs and not because they needed it to survive,” Police Inspector Chris Pullicino, prosecuting, told Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera.

Charlie Brincat, 30, of Cospicua, Richard Attard, 29, of Birkirkara, and 21-year-old Bernice Camilleri of Qawra pleaded not guilty to stealing from Ms Garroni and causing her death as a result of their violent act.

Ms Garroni was knocked to the ground on the doorstep of her Dingli Circus apartment in Sliema on December 8 at about 6.45 p.m. and was found lying unconscious in a pool of blood, still clutching the torn handle of her handbag.

The accused also pleaded not guilty to stealing another handbag, one hour and 30 minutes later, at 8.15 p.m., from Maria Cassar, 88, in Sliema.

The prosecuting officer explained the muggings took place after Mr Brincat, who was following an alcohol rehabilitation programme at Mount Carmel Hospital, was allowed to take leave on December 8, a public holiday.

He called Mr Attard and Ms Camilleri – who are dating – to pick him up. The three were broke, so Mr Brincat thought up a plan, Mr Pullicino said.

They proceeded to Sliema in search of an easy target who could yield them some cash to purchase drugs. They snatched Ms Garroni’s handbag but she put up a fight.

“She resisted so hard she was found out of her senses on the floor, clutching a piece of her handbag strap,” the court heard.

They used the money to buy cocaine and then returned to Sliema to commit another theft, again spending the money on cocaine, Mr Pullicino said. They stole arounf €45 in all, he added

All three also pleaded not guilty to cocaine possession and Mr Brincat and Mr Attard pleaded not guilty to relapsing.

Mr Brincat told a nursing officer at Mount Carmel Hospital about the mugging incidents and, in turn, the nurse informed the police, the inspector said. The investigations eventually led to Mr Attard and Ms Camilleri.

Throughout the arraignment, Ms Camilleri stood very close to Mr Attard, who held her left hand tightly.

Defence lawyers Toni Abela and Mark Busuttil both requested bail for their clients.

The prosecution objected. “They attacked one of society’s most vulnerable targets – the elderly – and I feel I’ll be failing in my duty if I don’t speak out,” Inspector Pullicino said.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera refused bail and remanded them in custody.

Police Inspector Anna Marie Micallef also prosecuted.

Dr Abela appeared for Mr Attard and Ms Camilleri.

Dr Busuttil appeared for Mr Brincat as legal aid.

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