A thief was jailed for four years after he was found guilty of ripping golden necklaces off two elderly sisters as they were heading home after Sunday mass in Mellieħa two years ago.

The incident happened at around 9am on 18 November, in Triq il-Madonna tal-Għar, in the vicinity of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa and the parish church.

The two sisters, Vittoria and Giuseppa Muscat, who were aged 79 and 82 respectively at the time, had just gone to mass and were walking down the stairs when the man, Simon Camilleri, approached them and snatched the necklaces they were wearing. Both women were wearing gold chains with a cross pendant.

The two women shouted for assistance, but the man ran off and fled in a car. However, people who came to their assistance identified the number plate, and the car was found to be Mr Camilleri's.

Mr Camilleri faced two charges of theft aggravated by violence, causing the two women fear that violence would be used against them and breaching bail conditions.

Both women identified the accused - who wore a cap but otherwise left his face uncovered during the theft - in court, and ultimately, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera ruled that there was proof beyond reasonable doubt that he had committed the thefts.

The magistrate observed that Mr Camilleri had an extensive criminal record, and had failed to avail himself of multiple opportunities to reform himself.

She said that the court wanted to send a message that the justice system was ready to protect elderly people who were going about their lives, and that as a result, an effective jail term was appropriate.

Inspectors Carlos Cordina and Gabriel Micallef prosecuted.