A Moroccan woman was yesterday sentenced to three months in jail after admitting breaking into her friends’ Sliema apartment and committing a crime while on bail.

Meriam Abdussalam Mouaddea, 39, of San Ġwann, pleaded guilty to stealing a bag containing about €200 in coins and damaging the flat’s front door in St Ignatius Junction on November 29.

The court heard that Ms Mouaddea was held inside the flat by her friends after being caught red-handed after she ransacked the place.

She went to the flat at 6.30am, when her friends were still there, asking for a glass of water. She asked at what time they would be back from work. A few hours later, during their break from work, her friends became suspicious and checked on their flat, only to find the front door open. Inside, they found the woman, who burst into tears and pleaded with them not to call the police.

When the police arrived, the woman was found sobbing on the bed. The flat had been ransacked and they found a bag containing coins in her handbag.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale also placed her under a two-year supervision order.

Police Inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted.

Lawyer Joe Brincat appeared for the woman.