A woman who kept all her savings on her person rather than depositing them in a bank testified in court that she was robbed of €40,000 just over two weeks before Christmas.

The incident took place on 11 December in Sir Paul Boffa Avenue, Paola. Two men, Jonathan Felice, 37, from Qormi, and Ryan Briffa, 35, from Marsa, have been charged in connection with the case. Both pleaded not guilty to aggravated theft and causing slight injuries.

Testifying before Magistrate Leonard Caruana, the victim said she was on her way to work in Paola when the robbery occurred. She explained that she was carrying three bags: one containing work-related items, another with water, and a third holding a large sum of cash. At one point, someone approached her from behind and forcefully pulled the bag containing the money from her. She said she resisted and tried to chase the thief, but was unsuccessful.

The woman told the court that a man who was working on a nearby lift asked if she needed help and contacted the police. She also recounted how another man, later identified as Simon, went to the police station after the incident. She said police had contacted him and that he was the person who found her mobile phone.

The victim explained that she kept the money inside a plastic bag placed in her handbag, which also contained her wallet. She said she was paid by cheque, which she would cash at the bank, and that she had closed all her bank accounts. She testified that she was afraid to keep money either at home or in the bank, and therefore carried it with her at all times. She added that she lived frugally, spending mainly on cigarettes, bread, and essential payments such as her car licence and insurance.

Inspector Lydon Zammit testified that police were alerted by a worker who heard a woman shouting for help. CCTV footage showed the robbery lasted about 40 seconds and that the victim suffered slight injuries after falling down steps. The footage showed the assailant targeting the bag containing the cash and fleeing in the same direction from which he came.

Further CCTV analysis revealed two men were involved: one who followed the victim and carried out the theft, and another who drove a vehicle later found to have been stolen from Żabbar the previous month. The car was seen near the victim's home around 6am and was later found parked in Santa Luċija, where Felice's mother lives.

Inspector Zammit told the court that both suspects were identified from the footage and are known to police. Mobile phone analysis placed them along the route taken by the victim. Briffa was found wearing the same clothes seen in the footage, and his shoes were recovered from his home. Felice later went to the Qormi police station, and clothing matching that seen in the robbery was found at his mother's residence.

No cash or the stolen bag has been recovered. At the end of the sitting, Magistrate Caruana ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the case against both men to continue.