An unemployed mother of three charged as the alleged suspect behind a jewellery theft from an elderly woman in Qormi on Wednesday has been granted bail.

The 28-year old housewife from Valletta, was marched to court, entering the hall weeping and protesting her innocence long before the arraignment got underway.

The woman was arrested after officers at the Qormi police station received a report about an elderly resident who had allegedly been targeted in a snatch and grab incident on Wednesday in Triq il-Mejjilla, at around 12.45pm.

Speaking to the 73-year old victim later inside her home, prosecuting officer Inspector Roderick Agius explained in court how he had been met with a highly agitated woman who had said that the culprit had snatched some jewellery she was wearing and then got away.

There were other pending issues between the alleged victim and the accused

The inspector also recalled how while at the alleged victim’s home, someone had called asking “Why did you call in the police?”

However, defence lawyer Franco Debono promptly pointed out that there appeared to be conflicting versions, while defence lawyer Marion Camilleri remarked that there were other pending issues between the alleged victim and the accused.

The latter pleaded not guilty to having caused the elderly woman to suffer under circumstances likely to produce bodily harm or death, aggravated theft and breaching a conditional discharge. The woman was also charged with being a relapser.

A request for bail was upheld against a personal guarantee of €5,000. Duty magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera also imposed a curfew between 8pm and 8am, an obligation to sign the bail book once a week, a strict order not to approach any witness, particularly the elderly woman, nor to lay a foot in Qormi while proceedings were still pending.

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