A 25-year-old Bulgarian woman today was charged with being complicit in the theft of €430 from an elderly woman and £60 from a British national.

Elenka Staneva pleaded not guilty, however her lawyer’s request for bail was turned down after prosecuting inspector Daryl Borg objected on the grounds that the woman has no fixed address in Malta or any ties to the island. She is employed as a baby sitter in her home country, the courts heard.

The incident took place on 24 October between noon and 2pm, where Ms Staneva and an unidentified accomplice had allegedly stolen a purse from an elderly woman at a retail outlet in Valletta. The accused, together with her accomplish are charged with withdrawing some €350 from the elderly woman’s bank card, and a further €80 in cash found in the purse.

The accused was reportedly caught on CCTV footage withdrawing the money from an ATM.

Ms Staneva is also charged with being complicit to the theft of £60 (€67) from a British national at a separate shop in Valletta.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale presided over the case while legal aid Martin Fenech defended the accused.