Josephine Knezevic Cassar, 41, a pharmacy technician at Mater Dei Hospital, admitted in court today to have stolen pills from the Mater Dei Hospital pharmacy on and before July 2.

Police Inspector Jesmond Micallef told the court that this case is linked to another involving another woman, which is still pending.

He said investigations were launched when medicine ran out of stick A fresh supply was imported, but it ran out in an unexpectedly short time.

CCTV showed the other woman - whose is still pending - stealing the pills. Further investigations then less to Ms Cassar.

He said the accused had cooperated with the police. She said that she had given the pills to another woman. It ad been claimed that the thefts were made as an act of charity to the other woman, who had had the right to receive the medicines on the health service.

Defence lawyer Franco Debono said that this was more of a case of misappropriation than theft, as the woman who received the pills had had a right for the pills.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani said this appeared more of the case where the accused had facilitated access of the pills for the patient.

She conditionally discharged the accused for three years and also sent a recommendation to the hospital for this incident not to affect her job.