A convicted fraudster stole a chequebook from a charity organisation and went on a shopping spree, the NGO's president said in court.

Anton Zammit, president of Soċjetà Basic, said that last summer he received a visit from Alexia Cross at the Mirage Hostel in Msida saying her daughter needed money to give as a birthday party present.

Mr Zammit said he gave Ms Cross €20 and she then disappeared after asking him to use the phone.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Ms Cross who stands charged with stealing cheques and defrauding 14 shops.

Mr Zammit, who was thinking of employing her as a receptionist after receiving her references from another charity, said Ms Cross suddenly disappeared from the hostel, presumably after stealing the chequebook that was on his office desk.

Mr Zammit said he knew nothing about the theft until he received a phone call from an angry jeweller some time later.

He said he was told that a cheque signed by Josette Curmi, who was also authorised as a signatory, had bounced and the jeweller demanded the money immediately.

Mr Zammit said he explained the situation and was invited by the jeweller to visit his shop and see the surveillance footage, in which he recognised Ms Cross.

But he said his troubles did not stop there because shortly after he received another phone call from a bank informing him that he owed €292. This, he said, turned out to be money owed for several items and services.

Mr Zammit said that in total Ms Cross had issued about 36 cheques, half of which had bounced, for a total debt of €3,287.54.

He said that most of the amount had since been paid back by the bank, except for about €200.

Mr Zammit said Ms Cross promised to pay back the money on several occasions but failed to do so.

Police Inspectors Fabian Fleri and Edmund Cuschieri prosecuted.

Lawyer Martin Fenech was defence counsel.