The widow of a fisherman who lost his life in the Simshar fishing tragedy yesterday admitted to having begged for money in the streets around May, almost two years after the incident.

Stephania Carabott, 30, of Marsaxlokk insisted she had no money because after her husband’s death, people he owed money to started knocking on her door demanding payment.

Mrs Carabott admitted to begging for money in Żabbar.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli asked the court to take into consideration the unique circumstances of her situation before handing down judgment and Magistrate Saviour Demicoli conditionally discharged her for a year.

Her financial situation deteriorated rapidly after losing her husband. She was set back by over €5,000 and after she handled a loan she had, all that was left of her widow’s pension was €50, she had told The Times. Four people died during the ill-fated fishing trip in July 2008, including Theo Bugeja the 11-year-old son of sole survivor Simon, Mr Bugeja’s 61-year-old father Carmelo, Noel Carabott and Somali national Abdulrahman Abdala Gedi, 21.

The young widow had also come close to almost losing the house she had shared with her husband for 10 years when her in-laws wanted her out. She was only saved by the government, which realised the property in question was owned by the joint office.