A waitress was yesterday charged with stealing two rings worth some €600 to fuel her drug habit.

Shirley Micallef, 34, from Valletta, denied stealing the rings from the same company – but from two different outlets – this month. She was granted bail.

Police Inspector Fabian Fleri said the first ring was stolen on August 13 from E Jewels in Bisazza Street, Sliema, owned by Sterling Jewellers, but the CCTV footage was not clear.

However, 10 days later a similar theft was carried out with another ring of the same value taken from Sterling Jewellers in St George Street, St Julian’s. This time the footage was clear.

The accused stole the rings so she could sell them to fund her drug habit, the inspector said.

Ms Micallef pleaded not guilty to stealing the rings, breaching the conditions of a previous release when given probation, and relapsing.

The inspector said he would not object to bail being granted if strict enough conditions were laid down. Lawyer Veronique Dalli asked the court to consider that the accused was a waitress and worked part-time so she was unable to make a deposit. She also worked late hours.

The magistrate, Ian Farrugia, granted her bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000.