Pharmacy salesperson convicted of stealing cash, items from employer

A former salesperson at a Hamrun pharmacy has been convicted of stealing cash and products from her former place of work.

Fiona Bondin, 40, had been accused of helping herself to cash, medicines, beauty products and various other items on sale at the Hamrun pharmacy where she was employed as saleswoman, over several months.

Inspector Ian Abdilla had told magistrate Ian Farrugia how some of the woman's actions had been captured on CCTV, as security cameras had been installed shortly before her dismissal by the owner of the pharmacy.

The pharmacist in charge had estimated the total value of cash and items stolen exceeded €100,000, but the court after viewing documents and expert reports, concluded that while the value certainly exceeded €5,000, probably also €10,000, there was insufficient evidence to support the €100,000 figure claimed.

The court held that Bondin had abused her employer's “almost blindfold” trust in her.

In its considerations on punishment, the court noted that the accused had a teenage son and had an otherwise clean criminal record sheet, but held that this could not attenuate the serious degree of malice she had employed.

The court also observed that a separate civil case for damages had been filed against Bondin by her former employer.

The court found Bondin guilty of theft, not guilty of misappropriation and handed down an 18 month jail term suspended for three years. A further €5,000 fine was imposed, which must be paid within six months, together with the costs of appointing court-experts – an additional €1,802.