Two Romanian women sobbed but shed no tears, clasped their hands in prayer and made pious facial expressions as they pleaded guilty to begging under false pretences yesterday.

Lacramioara Ciurar, 26, and Armeanca Caldarar, 18, who reside at a guesthouse in Msida, appeared before Magistrate Giovanni Grixti who heard they were arrested at Mater Dei Hospital on Wednesday.

Police Inspector Jason Sultana said that the women, who planned to spend three or four days in Malta, were spotted on the hospital perimeter and picked up by security guards after a complaint was made.

They were carrying 29 leaflets which read: “Please help me, I have a girl of nine months, suffers on tumour. I love my daughter, I don’t want to louse her [sic] Please help me, she needs surgery. Please help me in the name of God. I thank you a lot. Please return the leaflet, I have only this one. Thank you again for your help.”

The women at first pleaded not guilty but after consulting their legal aid lawyer, Anthony Cutajar, changed their plea and admitted to the charge of begging under false pretences.

The magistrate informed the women that they faced from seven months to two years in prison, at which point they sat down and, holding their heads in their hands, started sobbing again.

The magistrate sentenced them to two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years.

As they walked out of the courtroom, they thanked the prosecuting officer and lawyer, blowing kisses at them in gratitude.