A 27-year-old woman has been granted bail pending the outcome of a pre-sentencing report after admitting to robbing a nail studio.

The accused, who cannot be mentioned by court order due to her vulnerability, was assisted by an interpreter as she is deaf and non-verbal.

Wiping tears from her eyes, she pleaded guilty in writing, in accordance with court procedure. 

Prosecuting officer Sandra Zammit told Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras that the police received a phone call yesterday at 1.30am, informing them that someone had broken into a nail studio in Birkirkara. 

The police found the accused hiding in the shop with a bag full of stolen items. Insp. Zammit told the court that the loot's value amounted to €1,007 while the damage caused in forcing open the studio's door amounted to €75. 

The accused was charged with aggravated theft, damaging property and being a repeat offender. 

The accused admitted immediately and fully cooperated with the police. 

Since she was a repeat offender, the court is precluded from handing down a suspended sentence. The prosecution objected to the defence's request for a conditional discharge. 

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri therefore asked the court to order a pre-sentencing report prior to handing down the sentence to better assess the conditions of the accused prior to delivering its judgment. The request was upheld. 

The defence also asked for bail, which was not objected to by the prosecution. Insp. Zammit, however, asked for the accused - who is unemployed - to be prohibited from approaching the nail studio, pointing out that the accused often approached the studio to ask for a job or to speak to the owner about the subject of nails. 

The request was upheld and stipulated as part of the accused's bail conditions, which was granted by the court against a personal guarantee of €5,500.

 Judgment will be delivered on May 23.