A 23-year-old woman who lives in Saint Pauls Bay was arraigned before Magistrate Monica Vella accused with a string of criminal offences, including that of stealing a car and of driving without the necessary insurance.

The court heard how on 13 May 2016, Nikita Mc Anally stole a car (a Peugeot) from the vicinities of Saint Pauls Bay. Two days later, at around 6:30pm in Fleur de Lys in B'Kara, the accused was involved in a car accident while driving the stolen vehicle.

The prosecution told the court that Mc Anally drove the Peugeot in a dangerous manner and negligently. She also failed to stop driving after the accident and failed to report to the police or traffic wardens.

She also stands accused of stealing a Maruti and driving it without being covered with an insurance and driving license. This theft occurred on 19 May in Swieqi.

She is also charged with making fraudulent gains, obtaining money by false pretences and of misappropriating a mobile phone.

Magistrate Monica Vella noted that the accused has breached a probation order which was handed to her in a previous judgement by Magistrate Josette Demicoli and of relapsing.

The court heard how the police had been looking for the accused for over a month. A police officer who went to look for her at her residency, only managed to find her hidden in a wardrobe.

The prosecution, led by Inspectors Godwin Scerri and Trevor Micallef, told the court that the woman has recently resorted to drug abuse as she is passing through a difficult stage in her life.  

The magistrate denied request for bail and the woman was remanded in custody.

Leontine Calleja appeared for the accused.