A maid who helped herself to jewellery while cleaning various residences in Msida and Sliema has been handed a lifeline by a magistrate who instead of jailing her, gave her the opportunity to reform.
The woman, whose name cannot be published by court order following a request by her defence lawyers, was ordered to carry out 300 hours of community work and made to refund the victims for the jewellery she had stolen.
Magistrate Aaron Bugeja heard how the woman had pinched a gold ring from a residence in Triq Mgr Innoċenz Zammit, Msida, on January 29 and a gold bracelet from an apartment on the Sliema seafront.
The woman was also found guilty of stealing a gold coin, a gold necklace and a pendent as well as a wedding ring, two diamond pendants, two silver rings and a gold ring mounted with a precious stone from an apartment in Locker Street, Sliema.
The court heard how the maid was caught in the act and the matter referred to the police for investigation. When she was arrested and interrogated, the maid immediately broke down and admitted to the thefts.
In his decree, Magistrate Bugeja argued that notwithstanding the serious nature of the charges, punishment should be mitigated because the accused had cooperated with the police, had admitted to the thefts and had a clean criminal record.
This was in line with the recommendations of a probation officer in a pre-sentencing report. She had also returned the ring she had stolen from Msida in January.
He heard how the woman's marriage had gone south and she separated at a young age, and was left to bring up her young son on her own. Although he appreciated these difficulties, the magistrate said the seriousness of the crimes she had committed could not go unpunished, especially since she had breached the trust of people who had given her a job to clean their residence, thus helping her financial situation.
While warning the woman of the consequences were she to relapse, Magistrate Bugeja ordered her to carry out 300 hours of work in the community. He also ordered her to pay the victims of her crimes €1,800.
Police Inspector Saviour Baldacchino prosecuted.