A Bulgarian woman was today handed a conditional discharge after she was caught begging for money in Sliema yesterday.

Vasilka Yordanova pleaded guilty to living an idle life and molesting people to give her money. She was arrested while she was begging for money outside the Zara outlet in Sliema.

The woman, however, told the court she did not know that begging was illegal in Malta. Magistrate Neville Camilleri conditionally discharged her for five months. 

Police Inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted. Lawyer Leontine Calleja appeared for the accused.