A sales assistant was yesterday charged with defrauding her employer of over €20,000 after allegedly retaining for herself deposits made by customers.

Martina Fricke, a 43-year-old German national now living permanently in Malta, allegedly misappropriated the large sum on and before January 17.

Furniture companies Andy Bobbo Consulting and Services Ltd and Home Solutions Limited reported Ms Fricke to the police after they allegedly caught her retaining deposits made by customers.

In requesting bail, defence lawyer Josè Herrera said that the amount involved was more like €2,000, adding that the accused has a clean police record.

Police Inspector Ivan Cilia refuted the argument, saying Ms Fricke is a foreigner, a fact that increases the chances she might leave the island.

She lived on her own and had no family in Malta. He added that if the court were to place her under house arrest, given that she lived on her own, she would need to leave her home to run errands and, therefore, remanding her in custody was more ideal.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona then decided to grant Ms Fricke bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000. A deposit was not made because the accused declared in court she had no money.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli also appeared for Ms Fricke.

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