‘I don’t want to die now’

Maria Axiaq, 74, put the kettle on the hob and tuned in to Radju Marija to listen to the rosary when somebody knocked on her front door. Widowed eight years ago, as a rule she did not open the door to anyone. But on Sunday evening the man behind the door claimed he was “Andrew the painter”. It sounded familiar because Ms Axiaq was intending to paint her house, her son told The Times, recounting his mother’s traumatic experience after she was robbed. She opened the door and what followed was a 24-hour ordeal that shocked the Luqa community where she lives. Wielding a butcher’s knife, not wearing a hood and speaking Maltese in a foreign accent, the man demanded money and gold from the woman. He was carrying a bag that contained a knuckle duster. She recognised the type of knife he had in his hand because her late husband Reno used to own a butcher’s shop. Ms Axiaq tried to push the door shut but he forced his way in and threatened to kill her if she raised her voice. “I don’t want to die now,” she cried as tears streamed down her cheeks. She gave the man about €1,400 in cash and four rings, although as the robber made his escape he dropped a sentimental engagement ring...