A 29-year-old man from Rabat was yesterday handed a suspended sentence after he admitted to mugging a 73-year-old woman whose purse only contained €20.

Clinton Bugeja, who has a serious drug addiction, admitted to the theft and to injuring Michelina Buhagiar as she was walking through a street in Mosta. The incident happened on Monday.

Magistrate Monica Vella condemned Mr Bugeja to 13 months in jail, suspended for three years, placed him under a three-year supervision order and ordered him to start and successfully complete a drug rehabilitation programme.

Police Inspector Mark Mercieca prosecuted, while lawyer Patrick Valentino appeared for the man.