Fraudster gets jail, suspended for four years

Mary Anne Borg, 29 of Rabat was handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to collecting money on false pretences, various thefts and breaching bail conditions.

Prosecuting inspector Joseph Mercieca explained to the court that the woman would collect money under false pretences. “Claiming her daughter was seriously ill, the accused would go around collecting money, which was never used for the intended cause,” Mercieca said,

The police charged the 29-year-old with fraud and aggravated theft from apartments in Msida. Borg was also charged with the theft of cash and documents from an Qormi residence on 30 May; the theft of a wallet from a Rabat residence on 4 June; the theft of cash from a Marsa residence on 11 June, and breaching bail.

The prosecution called on the court to revoke the accused’s bail and cash-in the €5,000 personal guarantee Borg had pledged when granted bail by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit in December last year.

The woman pleaded guilty.

Magistrate Carol Peralta had strong words for the accused, and asked her if she was aware that her actions caused alarm in society. Borg was handed a two-year jail term, suspended for four years.