A separated mother of a 10-year-old girl, who worked as an accounts clerk in a health services company, helped herself to between €17,000 and €20,000 by writing out cheques in her name.

Joanne Sciberras, 33, from Żebbuġ, changed her plea to not guilty when informed by the presiding magistrate that an admission would mean she would go straight to jail. MagistrateConsuelo Scerri Herrera told the accused she had no option but to send her to jail.

“You’re a relapser and breached five previous convictions.

“You also have a pending suspended sentence. I have no option but to send you to jail,” she told Ms Sciberras.

It was at this point that she retracted her admission and pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her. Ms Sciberras was not granted bail because she did not have a fixed address. Magistrate Scerri Herrera suggested she moved back to her mother’s in Żebbuġ so that her request for bail could be considered. Ms Sciberras said her mother did not want her at home.

She was currently sharing a flat in Msida. Police Inspector Ian Joseph Abdilla prosecuted. Lawyer Rachel Tua appeared for Ms Sciberras.