A lawyer appearing for a woman charged with theft and fraud today criticised the present system which, he said, makes it difficult for former convicts to find a job. 

Peter Fenech said his client, a 42-year-old Australian-born woman, had been in prison and ended up on the streets without a job and without any form of social benefits to help her live and buy food to eat.

Charmaine Vella was accused of stealing a chequebook belonging to Diane Calleja and €930 in cash at Nero in Naxxar.

She then allegedly used one of the stolen cheques to make a €929 purchase from Klikk Computer Store and also stole an Iphone 6 Gold worth €783 from Scan Computer Store in Birkirkara Bypass.

She was also accused of breaking the conditions of previous court sentences.

She pleaded not guilty and did not request bail, with Dr Fenech saying that she did not have money to buy food so she was better off in jail.

The woman appeared to be suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms and the magistrate issued a treatment order.

"I am sorry that in this country, if you have a conviction sheet with convictions on certain crimes, there is no way that you can find employment. I even intervened with the Employment and Training Corporation to help her her but to no avail," Dr Fenech told the court.

"She came out of prison and had no help. She was not entitled to benefits as she had not worked before. How can we expect people not to re-offend when they  leave prison if we deny them work and relief? They end up doing drugs, getting involved in prostitution and stealing, and I have repeatedly said this publicly and to the highest authorities. She is better off in prison as she has no means of sustaining herself outside," he said.

Police Inspector Sandra Zammit prosecuted.