Maria Axiaq, the 74-year-old woman who was robbed in her home on Sunday evening and left bound for 23 hours, suffered a minor heart attack as a result of her ordeal and is recovering in hospital.

Her son Bro Vince Axiaq said €1,400 and some rings were stolen after an unknown man burst into his mother's house in Luqa and bound her hands behind her back.

Her left arm was dislocated and bruised.

The burglar, who spoke Maltese with a foreign accent, wielded a knife, demanded cash and gold and threatened the woman. His face was not covered.

Ms Axiaq, a widow, was particularly unlucky in that her son, who usually phoned   in the evening, phoned her in the morning on Sunday.

A grandson who usually sleeps at her house, also happened to be away.

Ms Axiaq was discovered by a daughter yesterday at around 5 p.m.

More details in The Times tomorrow.