A man who has 21 convictions on his criminal record was yesterday jailed for two years after pleading guilty to dislocating an elderly woman's shoulder when he snatched her handbag in Rabat earlier this month.

Patrick Mangion, 33, of Qormi, pleaded guilty to seriously injuring 71-year-old Vincenza Attard when he snatched her handbag containing an undisclosed amount of money and other items.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard how Ms Attard was walking along Hospital Street, in Rabat when Mr Mangion grabbed her handbag.

The magistrate noted that crimes targeting the elderly are very serious. In addition, the accused was a repeat offender. She said he had a number of conditional discharges, suspended sentences and even jail terms but it seemed he had not yet learnt his lesson.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera said the court always tried to help drug addicts kick the habit but, in this case, Mr Mangion did not make much of an effort to reform himself. She, therefore, jailed him for two years and recommended that the prison authorities help him with his addiction.

Police Inspector Mario Tonna prosecuted.