A police superintendent told a court this morning that Maltese people were becoming too scared of going to the area near the open centre in Marsa.

Superintendent Silvio Valletta was testifying before Magistrate Michael Mallia in a case instituted against Ali Mohammed Abhukhadir, 18, a Somali who lives in Rudolph Street, Sliema, who admitted stealing a pair of sunglasses and other items worth over €233 from a car in Marsa.

The court heard how the owner of the car had stopped to buy a Coke when he was attacked by four men. One of them, who was not the accused, hit him on the head with a bottle. Three of them then ransacked his car. When the police arrived three of the men escaped but Mr Abhukhadir was arrested. The incident happened last Tuesday.

In submissions on punishment, Inspector Valletta said people were getting scared of going to Marsa.

"We have reached a point where Maltese people cannot even go to Marsa because they are getting scared. The victim could not even go out and simply buy a Coke. With all due respect, we are not in Somalia. If they do not have laws there, we have laws here, and they have to understand this."

Magistrate Mallia after considering the age of the accused and that he was a first -time offender, jailed him for six months suspended for one year.