A magistrate yesterday heard how a young woman, charged with forgery and fraud, resorted to the crime because she was being chased by someone to whom she owed money.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti heard Elaine Rapinett, 20, of Marsa plead guilty to making malicious use of Paul Magro's HSBC cheque book to purchase items from four shops on and before Wednesday.

She also admitted to defrauding the four shop owners of a total of Lm1,270 between them and defrauding the bank and Magro.

Dr Franco Debono, for Rapinett, explained that his client had resorted to the crime because she was chased by someone who had loaned her money and noted that she was willing to pay back the money defrauded.

Police Inspector Ian Joseph Abdilla added that Rapinett had cooperated with police and already returned some of the goods.

Magistrate Grixti put off the case to January 13 when he will pass judgement.

Rapinett was granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm300.