A Maltese mother, formerly employed as saleswoman at a Ħamrun pharmacy, was today given a suspended jail term for stealing cash and products from her former place of work.

Fiona Bondin, 40, regularly helped herself to cash, medicines, beauty products and other items on sale at the pharmacy.

The court, presided by magistrate Ian Farrugia, heard how the woman's wrongdoing was partly captured on CCTV after security cameras were installed shortly before the suspect was fired by the pharmacy owner.

The court observed that although the value of the stolen goods was 'considerable', no request was made for the appointment of an accountant or an auditor to determine the exact value of the theft.

The pharmacist in charge had alleged that the total value exceeded €100,000. On the basis of the documentary evidence produced in court as well as the valuations drawn up by an ex-parte accountant, the court concluded that the actual value certainly exceeded €5,000 and probably even €10,000 but there was not sufficient proof to uphold the €100,000 figure cited by the pharmacist.

The court observed that Ms Bondin had grossly abused the trust placed upon her by her former employer who had trusted her 'almost blindfoldedly.'

On the other hand, the accused was the mother of a teenage boy and had an otherwise clean criminal record sheet. This, however, could not erase the fact that the woman's behaviour reflected a relatively serious degree of malice, the court remarked.

It was also noted that a civil action for damages had been instituted against the wrongdoer by her former employer.

The court found Ms Bondin guilty of theft but not guilty of misappropriation and imposed an 18-month jail term suspended for three years. It also imposed a €5,000 fine which the accused is to pay within six months, besides footing the bill for court expert expenses amounting to a further €1,802.

Inspector Ian Abdilla prosecuted.