Two women were arraigned on Monday after allegedly raiding rooms at a St Paul’s Bay hotel, making off with jewellery and electronic equipment belonging to guests.
Maria Pia Zammit, a 34-year-old cab driver, and Rasha Ahmed Gado, a 19-year old, formerly employed as a carer, both residing at St Paul’s Bay, were arrested and jointly arraigned over the aggravated theft which allegedly took place on Saturday afternoon.
The younger of the two was also separately charged with another instance of aggravated theft which allegedly took place a few days before Christmas at the home of an elderly woman where the accused used to work as carer.
Ms Gado was further charged with breaching two separate bail decrees.
The two women sat at the dock, in tears throughout the hearing, as prosecuting Inspector Godwin Scerri explained how the duo had been targeted by investigators on the strength of incriminating CCTV footage from the hotel.
The duo had allegedly used master keys, taken from one of the chambermaids, to enter into the guests’ rooms.
A search of the two suspects had yielded a box containing gold and silver items which investigators found had been stolen on December 20 from the residence of an 80-year old lady where Ms Gado worked as carer.
During the arraignment, Ms Zammit pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody pending judgment, which is expected on Tuesday.
Her defence lawyer, Rachel Tua, pointed out the woman’s early guilty plea, her cooperation with investigators and the fact that the stolen items had been returned to their lawful owners.
The other co-accused, Ms Gado, pleaded not guilty and was also remanded in custody for proceedings to continue in her regard.
A request for bail was turned down by duty magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech in view of the gravity of the offences, the lack of trustworthiness of the accused and the fact that the elderly victim was still to testify.
Inspector Shawn Pawney also prosecuted. Lawyer Rachel Tua assisted Ms Zammit.
Lawyers Lennox Vella and Marisa Mifsud assisted Ms Gado.