Three people were this evening remanded in custody after they pleaded not guilty to robbing an 80-year-old woman and causing her death as a result of their violent act.

Charlie Brincat, 30, of Cospicua, Richard Attard, 29, of Birkirkara and Bernice Camilleri, 21, of Qawra also pleaded not guilty to stealing a handbag from the 80-year-old, Rose Garroni of Sliema, at around 6.45 p.m. on December 8.

They also pleaded not guilty to stealing another handbag from 88-year-old Maria Cassar, at around 8.15 p.m. on the same day and of being in possession of cocaine.

Mr Brincat and Mr Attard pleaded not guilty to relapsing.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino, who was prosecuting together with Insp. Anna Maria Micallef, told the court that the first mugging took place in Dingli Circus. The three went to Sliema without money and thought about stealing from somone.

Their first target was Ms Garroni, who resisted them. The woman was left for dead on the doorstep of her apartment, she remained in a coma and died in hospital late last Tuesday.

She had been found unconscious in a pool of blood still clutching at the handle of what was left of her bag.

In the attack, Ms Garroni’s hip was broken in three parts; she suffered a broken femur and a massive head trauma.

The accused, the inspector said, used the money to buy cocaine and returned to commit another theft later.

Mr Brincat , who was following an alcohol rehabilitation programme at Mount Carmel Hospital, spoke to a nursing officer about the incident two days later and the nurse reported the incident to the police.