A Macedonian tourist was seriously injured when she resisted a man and a woman who assaulted her in Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema, last week.

Ramon Abela, 43 and Miriam Elebed, 26, were accused of having assaulted and robbed the tourist just before midnight on May 10.

The court was told that the two had been driving by in the car when they saw the woman, 55, walking in the street and decided to rob her.

They hit her with an iron bar when she resisted, seriously injuring her.

They then stole her handbag, which contained a mobile phone, cash and documents.  

The woman, who was visiting Malta to see her newborn grandson, suffered a broken arm and lacerations to her head. 

Abela and Elebed were also accused of being relapsers. They pleaded not guilty. No request for bail was made.

Inspector Fabian Fleri and Lydon Zammit proecuted.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.