The driver of the getaway vehicle allegedly involved in a violent robbery in Qormi, where a thief disguised as a postman had tricked his way into the home of an elderly woman, was granted bail upon his arraignment on Wednesday.

Michael Mifsud, a 53-year old Żebbuġ jockey, was arrested and charged as an accomplice in the robbery committed early one January afternoon when the elderly victim answered a knock at her door, only to be overcome by the man and his two accomplices.

The woman was tied up while the three strangers made off with cash and jewellery from her home.

A few weeks later, Mark Anthony Cardona, 41, Ryan Briffa, 28, and Patrick Mangion, 46, had been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to their involvement in the aggravated theft.

Further investigations had led the police to zoom in on the fourth suspect: the driver of the getaway van that had been captured on CCTV footage recovered from the scene of the crime.

The man was arrested and marched to court, pleading not guilty to complicity in the January robbery, having driven a van with false number plates as well as relapsing.

A request for bail was upheld by the court, presided over by magistrate Francesco Depasquale, against a deposit of €5,000, a personal guarantee of €10,000 and an order to sign the bail book twice a day, every day of the week.

The court further imposed a curfew between 9pm and 5am, warning the man to abide by those conditions, irrespective of any horse-riding events he may have planned for the future.

Inspectors Fabian Fleri, Roderick Agius and Lydon Zammit prosecuted.
Lawyer Joseph Giglio was defence counsel.