A man who robbed three elderly persons by grabbing their bags has been sentenced to 40 months imprisonment. 

Josef Seychell, 24, who claimed to have been desperate for money to fuel his drug addiction, carried out three thefts within the span of barely three weeks.

Last May 21 at around 7.30am, he pounced upon an 84-year old man at the Marsa Park and Ride, making off with €335.

Four days later, a 66-year old lady walking along De La Cruz Avenue in Qormi was targeted. He snatched her hand bag containing some €30 in cash.

A similar incident was repeated in the early hours of June 12 when a 61-year old woman was his victim in St Joseph High Road, Hamrun. The thief made off with her handbag containing some €309.

Following his arrest after the last theft, he immediately confessed his wrongdoing and admitted to having been the perpetrator of the other two earlier thefts.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech declared the accused guilty and observed that an early guilty plea did not automatically bring about a reduction in punishment.

Quoting earlier appeal judgments, she pointed out that a “discount” in the prison sentence was lost when the “protection of the public makes it necessary that a long sentence, possibly the maximum sentence, be given.”

All three victims in this case were elderly members of society, “the most vulnerable who deserved only respect and help,” Magistrate Frendo Dimech declared.

She condemned the accused to a 40-month jail term and he was also ordered to return the sums stolen to each of his victims.

The court finally imposed a 3-year Treatment Order upon the accused who had signalled his wish to overcome his drug addiction, ordering him to undergo rehabilitation with immediate effect while serving his prison sentence.