A woman who was given a suspended jail term two months ago for defrauding seven people was jailed for three years for defrauding a couple after finding their cheque book.

Annalise Agius, 23, had at first pleaded not guilty to finding their cheque book in Hamrun and using it to buy items in Valletta on December 8 at 1 p.m.

After she was arraigned yesterday and Ms Agius realised that she had been remanded in custody, she sat down in the court room and wept quietly. After spending some time waiting in the court room to be taken to the lock-up, she decided to change her plea to a guilty one, which saw her two-year jail term suspended for four years come into effect.

After taking into consideration her guilty plea, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera jailed her for one year for defrauding the couple.

The court also brought the suspended jail term into effect, bringing the total jail term to three years.

In the previous case, when she was found guilty of defrauding seven people, she had also been found guilty of stealing two handbags containing cheque books and other items.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera had given a suspended sentence after taking into consideration the fact that she had been a first time offender.

Police Inspector James Grech prosecuted.

Lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores appeared as legal aid to the woman.

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