A young domestic cleaner is expected to be deported to Serbia after she admitted to charges of attempting to steal from the woman who employed her, shoplifting and drug possession.

20 year-old Katarina Todorovic from Serbia was arraigned under arrest before magistrate Monica Vella this afternoon by police inspector Leeroy Balzan Engerer. She was accused of attempted theft, theft and possession of cannabis.

The magistrate heard the prosecution explain how the accused, who had been employed as a domestic cleaner, had allegedly attempted to steal from her employer on May 21. She had also shoplifted from a number of fashion outlets in the Baystreet shopping complex in St. Julians.

Defence lawyer Roberto Montalto informed the court that his client wanted to plead guilty to the charges.

In his submissions on punishment, the lawyer said that the circumstances of the case, his client’s  cooperation with the police and the fact that the stolen items had already been returned to their respective owners weighed in her favour. The defence would not contest repatriation, he said, requesting that any prison sentence handed to the woman be suspended.

Inspector Balzan Engerer added that the woman would be repatriated by tonight.

The court explained the implications of the charges to Todorovic, pointing out that they could result in a custodial sentence and asked the woman whether she had understood this. The accused replied in the affirmative.

The court, noting that the items stolen had been returned to their rightful owner, sentenced the woman to imprisonment for 2 years, which were suspended for 4 years due to her early guilty plea, collaboration with the police and the return of the stolen items. Todorovic was also fined €50 for the possession of cannabis for personal use. “If you commit another crime in the next 4 years, you will go to prison for 2 years plus any other punishment applicable,” warned the court.