A man is in custody following a violent robbery in Xaghra, Gozo that left a woman with grievous head injuries, the police confirmed on Sunday afternoon.

The case took place at around 4am on Sunday, in Triq il-Bullara, when the English couple were walking towards their apartment.

The man, 58, and the woman, 55, were set upon by an assailant brandishing a rock.

At one point, the aggressor slammed the woman's head against a parked car, according to reports., He then stole some items of jewellery from the woman.

Officers from the Rabat police station and an ambulance were called to the scene. The woman was taken to the Gozo General Hospital where she underwent surgery, One News reported. The police said the woman was grievously injured while the man suffered slight injuries.

The road was closed while investigators elevated CCTV footage from the area and Magistrate Paul Coppini launched an inquiry.

A foreigner, 29, was arrested late on Sunday afternoon in connection with the case. He is expected to be arraigned in court over the coming hours.