A man who stole a handbag from a car and threw it back when the owner spotted him, was taken to court today and given a suspended jail term.

Martin Tabone, 60 of Msida, pleaded guilty to stealing the bag in Luqa Briffa Street, Gzira on Saturday.

The owner of the bag said she was taking items out of her car and carrying them into her house. As she turned she spotted Mr Tabone reaching into her car and grabbing her handbag. She started shouting and he threw the bag back into the car, swore at her and ran off.

The police later arrested him.

In court, Mr Tabone, was represented by a legal aid lawyer. He said he could not afford his own lawyer because he had a pension of some €400 a month, more than half of which went for his rent.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti sentenced him to a jail term of nine months suspended for two years.

 

 

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