A chambermaid at the St Paul's Bay Hotel was yesterday accused of stealing from 220 hotel rooms between July 4 and last Tuesday.

Teresa Cuschieri, 41, of St Paul's Bay, was investigated by the police after they received a report from a Spanish guest that two bags containing her laptop, a hair straightener, a make-up bag and clothes, went missing in the space of 45 minutes.

The guest, who testified in court yesterday, said the theft took place between 11 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. on Tuesday. She had been staying at the hotel for three weeks and only saw the accused and another man cleaning the rooms. She said that, although she had not seen Ms Cuschieri stealing the items, she never had any problems when the man cleaned her room.

Ms Cuschieri was accused of stealing items, including cash, from the rooms. She was also accused of handling stolen property and relapsing.

She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000.

Police Inspector Keith Arnaud prosecuted.

Lawyer Victor Zammit appeared for the accused.