A man was jailed for 10 years today after he admitted in court to having assaulted and robbed a 76-year-old woman in her home in Sliema as well as having committed a string of other thefts.

Daniel Lanzon admitted to having forced his way into the residence of Carmela Cachia in Dingli Street, Sliema in the afternoon of April 6, 2003 and put the woman's life in clear danger, while robbing her of between €233 and €2,329.

The guilty plea was filed on the strength of a plea bargain agreement after Mr Lanzon was originally accused of having tricked the woman into thinking he was a policeman and then, after making his way into her home, beating her with a broomstick, hitting her on the head with a bottle and attempting to strangle her with a bedsheet.

Mr Lanzon also admitted to having stolen cash and other items from: Leslie Confectionery in Sliema in December 1999, an office belonging to the Salesians in Sliema on September 28, 2000; The Strand Hotel in Gzira in January 2002; the Windsor Hotel in Sliema on April 13, 2002; Emanuel Studio in Gzira on November 13, 2002;  the Colours of Malta travel agency in Sliema in January and March 2003;  an office of the training centre for persons with disability in Fleur-de-Lys between January and March 2003 and the sacristy of St Paul's Parish Church in Rabat in January 2003.

Before handing down judgement the court heard evidence by a psychiatrist. The accused was condemned to imprisonment for 10 years, with a recommendation that he be given the medical assistance he needed.