Three hooded men who assaulted and robbed a woman €6,600 in the common area of an apartment block in Valletta have been jailed 89 months after the victim recognised them in Court.

Diego Grixti 27, of Floriana, Clayton Borg, 25 of St Julian's and Luaie Borg 24 of Valletta were convicted of having assaulted and robbed Josephine Grixti on the night of July 22 in 2009.  The victim used to take her money with her because she was afraid of leaving it at home. She also did not know how much money she had because one of her daughters used to count them for her before leaving home and back again. The daughter had testified and said that she had counted the sum of €6,600.

The victim told the court that she lived in the top floor of an apartment block in Hospital Street, Valletta. She was walking up the stairs after returning from work when Diego Grixti assaulted her and punched her on the face. Luaie Borg grabbed her and put his hand on her mouth to prevent her from screaming while Clayton Borg took the money which she had hidden in her bra.

Luaie Borg wore a hockey mask and the others wore tights over their heads but she recognised them because the tights were transparent, while the hockey mask was broken. Diego Grixti was also a relative, while Clayton had been in a relationship with her for over three years and Luaie Borg was Clayton's cousin. She recognised a top that Clayton was wearing as one which she herself had bought for him.

One of the victim's daughter’s, Casey, confirmed that while out for a walk on the bastions she had seen the three accused in a car twice. When her mother called her after the assault, she saw them running. Luaie Borg was carrying the mask in his hand, Clayton was carrying something in his hand and Diego was still wearing the tights over his head.

Cymber Grixti, another daughter of the victim, confirmed she had given the cash to her mother earlier in the day. The accused denied involvement but admitted that they were in Valletta, claiming they had gone to pick pills for Luaie, who had toothache.

The court heard evidence from Go and Vodafone representatives regarding phone calls and localisations. Josephine Grixti forgave her aggressors and also said that some cash fell on the floor while the robbers were fleeing. 

Diego Grixti was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment. Clayton Borg was sentenced to two years imprisonment while Luaie Borg was sentenced to 26 months imprisonment and relapsing on a nine month suspended sentence.
The sentences were handed down after the court considered the criminal records of all three which included relapsing and breaching a conditional discharge.