A Somali man yesterday produced a €20 note in court to repay a woman from whom he had stolen a handbag after exposing himself to her and to a man in Paola.

Ahmed Sharif Haydar Issa, 29, was accused of offending public morals when he exposed himself to Elizabeth Bugeja and Peter Horace Caruana in Antoine de Paule Square on September 15.

The two left the square but a drunk Mr Haydar Issa followed them and snatched Ms Bugeja’s bag, which contained €15.

Although the incident took place a week ago, the police could not immediately track down the accused as he has no fixed residence.

Police Inspector Spiridone Zammit said Ms Bugeja was ready to forgive him but she was worried he might approach her again.

Mr Haydar Issa immediately took out a €20 note from his pocket insisting he wanted to give the victim her money back. He was given €5 in change.

He received a 15-month jail sentence suspended for four years and fined €25.

A protection order was placed on both victims for three years and should Mr Haydar Issa breach this condition, he would either be asked to pay €2,329 or be jailed for six months.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella presided over the case. Lawyer Patrick Valentino appeared for the accused.