A magistrate this morning congratulated a couple - who admitted to stealing handbags from beaches four years ago - for managing to make a "miraculous" change and improve their lives.

"I saw you transform before my eyes. This was a long case and you had problems but you seem to have overcome them. The change in you was miraculous and I compliment you for your willpower. You seriously impressed me," Magistrate Carol Peralta told the couple after sentencing them to a conditional discharge of three years.

Anthony Grech, 32, and his girlfriend Justine Zammit, 30, of Zebbug, admitted to stealing three bags from Pretty Bay Birzebbuga and another bag from Ta Kalanka in Delimara between July and August 2011.

The magistrate noted that the two had a drug addiction problem that got them in trouble with the law over the years. But they had worked hard and completed drug rehabilitation programmes and were on the right track.

Apart from the conditional discharge he placed them under the care of a probation officer for three years.

"The court is proud of you," he said at which point the couple looked at one another, smiled and together said: "Thank you".