A 29-year-old man who is awaiting trial over a fatal stabbing has been sentenced to four years in prison after admitting to an armed robbery carried out in Santa Venera last month.

Frank Amo Kwaku appeared before the Court of Magistrates, where he pleaded guilty to aggravated theft, unlawfully detaining a shop employee, causing slight injuries, carrying a knife without a licence, and breaching two separate sets of bail conditions.

The court was informed that the robbery was committed while Kwaku was on bail in connection with a murder case dating back to 2021. His most recent bail conditions had been imposed only weeks earlier, in April.

During the incident, the accused threatened a shop employee with a knife and briefly restrained her. The victim sustained minor injuries as a result of the ordeal.

In delivering its sentence, the court considered both the gravity of the offence and the fact that it was committed while the accused was already facing proceedings over a much more serious charge.

Kwaku was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and fined €116.47. The court also ordered the forfeiture of €23,500 in personal guarantees, along with a €12,500 cash deposit that had been lodged as part of his bail.

The prosecution was conducted by AG lawyer Miryea Mifsud, assisted by police inspectors Lydon Zammit, Keith Rizzo and Ian Vella. Kwaku was represented by legal aid lawyer Martina Herrera. The case was presided over by Magistrate Astrid May Grima.