A magistrate yesterday sentenced a mugger to nine months in jail after admitting to targeting two women in May and June and stealing two gold necklaces they were wearing.

Shalon Abela, 22, from Qormi pleaded guilty to snatching the choker of a 60-year-old woman in Eldorado Street, Ħamrun at about 1pm on May 27. The item was worth about €500.

He used the same method to steal a €300 gold necklace worn by another woman, 64, as she was walking along Anton Buttigieg Street, also in Ħamrun at 2.30pm on June 14.

Mr Abela also pleaded guilty to being a relapser.

Defence lawyers Veronique Dalli and Dean Hili told Magistrate Antonio Vella their client was admitting to the charges brought against him and was willing to start a rehabilitation programme to kick his drug habit.

Dr Dalli said the prosecution and the defence had agreed on a nine-month jail term with a recommendation for a drug rehabilitation programme.

Magistrate Vella agreed with both the punishment and the recommendation suggested.

Police Inspector Kurt Zahra prosecuted.

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