A man who was arrested by the police minutes after he ran off with a woman's handbag in Gzira yesterday, has been condemned to a three-year suspended jail term.

Dominic Mercieca, 33of Gzira, admitted to having grabbed and stolen the handbag of a woman who was in a cafeteria at the Strand in Gzira yesterday afternoon. He ran off but was caught by the police two corners away.

The contents were all recovered.

He was also accused of having violated bail conditions imposed by a court two months ago.

During the court hearing this morning, defence counsel Lucio Schriha said the theft was motivated by the drug problem which the accused suffered.

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