Three people who allegedly caused the death of an 80-year-old woman who they mugged in Sliema earlier this month, had kept her house key and ID card and intended to burgle her house, a court was told today.
The court was hearing the compilation of evidence against Charlies Brincat, 30 of Cospicua, Richard Attard, 29 of Birkirkara and Bernice Camilleri, 21 of Qawra.
They are pleading not guilty to stealing from Rose Garroni and causing her death as a result of their violent act.
They are also pleading not guilty to having stolen another handbag from another woman, Maria Cassar, 88, some two hours later. Both cases took place in Sliema.
Prosecuting Inspector Chris Pullicino said that on December 8 at around 7.15 the police were informed that someone was lying unconscious on the pavement in Dingli Circus.
When the police went on site, they were informed that the 80-year-old woman was in a critical condition. She had resisted the muggers and was still clutching the strap of her handbag.
Ms Garroni died in hospital a week ago, on Tuesday.
The inspector said that an hour after the attack on Ms Garroni, the police were informed that a similar mugging had taken place. The police got hold of CCTV which showed a dark coloured Fiat Uno driving past.
Inspector Pullicino explained that between the time of the mugging and when the ambulance arrived only two cars were seen driving past.
One was a Daihatsu being parked by a woman and this Fiat Uno.
On December 18 he was informed that Charles Brincat who was being held at Mount Carmel Hospital for alcohol problems was saying that he was behind the muggings and decided to speak up after he heard that Ms Garroni had died.
Insp Pullicino went to Mt Carmel with Police Inspector Anna Maria Micallef and spoke to Mr Brincat. Mr Brincat wanted to cooperate and he explained how they tried to pull Ms Garroni's bag. She resisted, he pushed her and the three left in the car. They then went to Cospicua, bought cocaine and returned to Sliema for the second mugging.
On December 18, the other two, Ms Camilleri and her boyfriend Mr Attard were arrested.